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Clarence Home, which stands adjoining to St James’s Palace, was the official London residence of the previous Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall – now King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort.
As one of many final remaining aristocratic townhouses in London, this property is steeped in royal historical past. This is every thing you must learn about Clarence Home, together with when it was constructed and the inspiration behind its interiors.
Who constructed Clarence Home?
Clarence Home was constructed between 1825 and 1827 to the designs of John Nash for Prince William Henry, Duke of Clarence (later King William IV) and his spouse Adelaide. With a pristine white facade, Nash created a vivid, stuccoed mansion of classical proportions. However the ultimate value of £22,232 was greater than double what he had initially estimated, the Royal Assortment Belief reveal.
Who lives at Clarence Home?
Charles and Camilla have been residents of Clarence Home for nearly 20 years, having lived there since 2003. Whereas it’s but to be formally confirmed whether or not the King and Queen Consort will reside at Buckingham Palace, studies from The Unbiased counsel that the couple will stay at Clarence Home till the foremost refurbishment works at Buckingham Palace have been accomplished. There may be presently a 10-year renovation venture within the works to maintain the constructing match for the longer term.
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Following the dying of Queen Elizabeth II on eighth September 2022, and Charles’ accession to the throne, Clarence Home has since ceased operations. A Clarence Home spokesman instructed The Guardian: ‘Following final week’s accession, the operations of the family of the previous Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have ceased and, as required by legislation, a session course of has begun. Our workers have given lengthy and dependable service and, whereas some redundancies will likely be unavoidable, we’re working urgently to establish various roles for the best potential variety of workers.’
Earlier than Charles and Camilla’s residency, Clarence Home was the house of Queen Elizabeth II (then Princess Elizabeth) and Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh following their marriage in 1947 till her accession as Queen in 1952. Charles lived right here too between the ages of 1 and three, and his sister, Princess Anne, was born at Clarence Home in August 1950.
Clarence Home was additionally the London residence of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mom for nearly 5 many years. She moved in along with her daughter, Princess Margaret, shortly earlier than the Coronation in 1953 till 2002.
Clarence Home residents:
- William Henry, Duke of Clarence and Queen Adelaide, 1827 – 1837
- Victoria, Duchess of Kent, 1841 – 1861
- Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh and Marie, Duchess of Edinburgh, 1866 – 1900
- Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn and Louise, Duchess of Connaught, 1901 – 1942
- Princess Elizabeth and Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, 1947 – 1952
- Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mom, 1953 – 2002
- The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, 2003 – 2022.
Clarence Home: Interiors
Clarence Home has 5 bedrooms, a drawing room with a central fire, and a morning room full of private images, artworks and antiques. The backyard room, created by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mom from two rooms, is used for welcoming official guests and options musical devices (together with King Charles’ harp), household images, and artistic endeavors equivalent to a Leandro Bassano portray of Noah’s Ark (left under).
In the meantime, the morning room was initially designed because the breakfast room and, between 1949 and 1952, was used as The Duke of Edinburgh’s research. It was additionally the place Prince William and Kate Middleton, now the Prince and Princess of Wales, performed their official engagement interview in 2010. From receptions to royal Christmas events, the home has opened its doorways to a number of friends over time.
To arrange the constructing for Charles, Clarence Home underwent in depth refurbishment and redecoration. The renovation included new color schemes, up to date textiles, and several other new items from the Royal Assortment and from King Charles’ personal artwork assortment.
Pool/Tim Graham Image LibraryGetty Photographs
Pool/Tim Graham Image LibraryGetty Photographs
Are you able to go to Clarence Home?
Clarence Home is open to the general public in the course of the summer season months, with guests given a guided tour across the 5 rooms and adjoining areas on the bottom flooring. The tour of Clarence Home begins within the backyard, the place guests can see the formal space added by the King in 2004 in reminiscence of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mom.
Because it stands, Clarence Home is presently closed to the general public till additional discover. For extra data, please go to rct.uk.
Tim GrahamGetty Photographs
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