Clarence House

About

Clarence House is the official London residence of The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. Here Their Royal Highnesses receive official guests from this country and overseas on behalf of the nation, and bring together people from all walks of life through official seminars, lunches, receptions and dinners. Several thousand official guests are received at the House annually, many connected with the charitable organisations with which The Prince or The Duchess is involved.

The Prince of Wales first lived at Clarence House between the ages of one and three, when Princess Elizabeth and The Duke of Edinburgh moved there following their marriage. By the time of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s death in April 2002, more than 50 years had passed since the last major refurbishment of the house, and much work needed to be done before The Prince of Wales was able to take up residence.

The Royal Household Property Services carried out the refurbishment and worked with organisations such as the Forest Stewardship Council to specify and buy sustainable materials and timber from responsibly managed forests. The internal decoration was carried out under the direction of the interior designer, Robert Kime.

Robert Kime introduced new colour schemes and furnishings, while maintaining the familiar atmosphere of a much-loved family house. The arrangement of the rooms and the grouping of their contents remain recognisably as they were in Queen Elizabeth’s time, with much of Her Majesty’s collection of works of art and furniture in their former positions.  

The Prince of Wales returned to Clarence House on 4 August 2003, the anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s birth.