Clarence House played a surprising role in Britain’s wartime history
Clarence House, the London residence of King Charles and Queen Camilla, is steeped in more than two centuries of royal tradition. Built between 1825 and 1827 by John Nash, the architect behind Buckingham Palace, the townhouse was first commissioned for King George III’s son, the future King William IV.
Over the years, it has sheltered generations of royals, most notably Queen Elizabeth II and her mother, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. Yet before the late Queen Elizabeth moved in, Clarence House played an unexpected part in the Second World War.
Following the death of the Duke of Connaught in 1942, the property was handed to the War Organisation of the British Red Cross and the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. Together, under the name of the Joint War Organisation, they turned the elegant royal home into a wartime headquarters.
From within its walls, the JWO directed care homes, hospitals, nurseries, and ambulance units. Clarence House also became the hub for Red Cross parcels, lifelines packed with food, medicine, and even books that were sent to prisoners of war across Europe. These packages provided not only sustenance but also hope during the darkest days of the conflict.
When peace returned and the JWO disbanded, Clarence House reverted to royal use. After her 1947 marriage to Prince Philip, Princess Elizabeth made it her first home. Though updated with new electricity, heating, and water systems, the renovations were modest, reflecting the austerity of post-war Britain.
Today, Clarence House stands not only as a royal residence but also as a reminder of its extraordinary service during one of history’s most challenging chapters.
