Impressive castles, amazing palaces and even some cottages and apartments. Here are all the homes owned by the British royal family
Check out all the incredible homes owned by the British royal family
The British royal family might have a different definition of “cottage” and “apartment” than we do. 20-bedroom apartments and 10-bedroom cottages are not what you normally expect from these types of dwellings. However, these titles do sit amongst castles and palaces on the royal family’s property portfolio, so perhaps in comparison, they are just a “cottage” or an “apartment” when it comes to size and magnitude.
Scroll down to have a look at some of the places members of the royal family call home:
The Queen
Buckingham Palace:
It should come as no surprise that Buckingham Palace is where HRH Queen Elizabeth II spends most of her time, it’s been the official residence of the British monarch for 181 years (ever since the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837). But she’s not alone in the 775 room palace, there’s 800 staff there too. Luckily there’s 78 bathrooms and 92 offices to accommodate them all.
Balmoral Castle:
Come summer and the Queen heads off to Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It was purchased by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1852.
Sandringham House:
One of the Queen’s favourite “houses”, Sandringham House in Norfolk is usually where she spends Christmas. The Queen inherited the house from her father in 1952.
Windsor Castle:
Windsor Castle has been a royal home for over 900 years. Here is where the Queen likes to take up court for a month over Easter. Inside Windsor Estate is St George’s Chapel, where Prince Harry and Megan Markle got married in May. Windsor is also home to a number of other royals, including Prince Andrew, who lives at The Royal Lodge inside the estate.
Hillsborough Castle:
This is the official residence of the Queen and the royal family when they visit Northern Ireland. It is also the residence of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse:
Possibly one of the most interestingly named palaces in the royal family’s property portfolio, The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official residence of the Queen when she is in Scotland.
William and Kate
Kensington Palace:
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, live in the 20-room apartment 1A inside Kensington Palace in London.
Newly married Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank also reside in the Kensington Palace grounds. They’re in the three-bedroom property, Ivy Cottage.
Amner Hall:
Before they moved into Kensington Palace, Kate and Wills lived in Anmer Hall in Norfolk. The 10-bedroom house, gifted to them by the Queen, now serves as their country home.
Harry and Meghan
Frogmore Cottage:
Previous occupants of the two-bedroom Nottingham Cottage in Kensington Palace, Prince Harry and Megan Markle have said they will move into Frogmore Cottage early next year. The 10-bedroom home sits within the Windsor Estate and is a special place for the couple as it’s where they had their engagement photo shoot and their private wedding reception was held.
Charles and Camilla
Clarence House:
This London pad is the official residence of Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. It was the home of the Queen and Prince Phillip after they got married in 1947 and Princess Anne, Charles’ sister, was born here in 1950.
Highgrove House:
Located in Gloucestershire, England, Highgrove House, with its beautiful gardens, is Charles and Camilla’s family home. Prince Charles purchased it in 1980 and he and Diana initially used it as a weekend home after their marriage in 1981.
Birkhall:
Part of the Queen’s Balmoral Estate in Scotland, Birkhall is the private residence of Charles and Camilla during their summer break.
Llywynywermod:
As the Prince of Wales, it makes sense that Charles would also have a home there too. Llywynywermod was purchased by Charles in 2007. It was refurbished by local Welsh craftsman. Welsh materials were sourced for the project and Welsh textiles used to decorate the interior.
Princess Anne
Gatcombe Park:
Gatcombe Park is the country residence of the Queen’s daughter Princess Anne. But it is also home for her daughter and son-in-law Zara and Mike Tindall, and their children.
St. James’s Palace:
When she’s not at Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire, Princess Anne is at her London residence, St. James’s Palace where Princess Beatrice also lives.
Prince Edward
Bagshot Park:
The Queen’s youngest son, Prince Edward, owns Bagshot Park in Surrey. The Bagshot Park gardens and grounds are listed on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.
Words by: Bea Taylor. Video by: Melissa Tapper. Photos by: Getty Images.
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