PRINCE Charles wishes to give up Buckingham Palace as a royal residence when he becomes King and is considering plans to transform it into a more business-like “monarchy HQ”, it has been reported.
The Prince of Wales is said to believe the palace could be made more commercially viable by opening it to the public on a larger scale than is possible with the Queen in residence.
One source reported that Prince Charles is “very comfortable” at Clarence House, his London home formerly occupied by the Queen Mother and that both he and the Duchess of Cornwall are understood to be keen to remain living there.
Staff are reported to have had informal discussions over the future use of the 775-room palace, which is predominantly open to visitors from late July until October while the Queen takes her annual break at Balmoral.
Under Charles, the palace might become a museum open for longer periods with an exhibition dedicated to his mother’s reign.
One source is reported to have said: “What’s to say Buckingham Palace can’t be opened to the public for at least six months while keeping the state rooms pristine for use during big occasions?
“That would be a modern approach and he will be thinking along those lines.”
Another insider allegedly added: “It makes perfect sense commercially to offset the costs of running such a big place by extending availability to the ticket-buying public.”
A Clarence House spokesman has said: “Buckingham Palace will remain the official London residence of the monarch.”
With Charles as King the palace may continue to host state occasions and diplomatic receptions and might provide space for his private office and communications team, according to reports.
No major changes to the running of the palace are expected while the Queen is alive.
At the moment, the palace is undergoing a taxpayer-funded refurbishment to the cost of £369m.
The Treasury has claimed that the building needs an “urgent overhaul” to prevent the risk of fire, flood and damage.