After 70 years of reign, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom died on September 8, 2022, at 96. He will be succeeded on the throne by Charles of Wales, his eldest son, who has been the legitimate heir since the age of three. Charles of Wales was renamed Charles III of the United Kingdom after officially proclaimed King of the country.
Like all the monarchs of the United Kingdom, he resided at Buckingham Palace . Still, before arriving at this luxurious building, he lived in ‘Clarence House’, another royal residence located in London and very close to the palace. This article tells you what ‘Clarence House’ looks like inside and out.
The royal residence of Charles III from the outside
Specifically, the house is located on the street that connects Buckingham Palace to Trafalgar Square, a central London square built to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar. Due to its proximity to other tourist attractions, it is one of the most visited places in London. However, this royal residence can only be visited during one month of the year, which is usually August.
There is not much to comment on the exterior: it is an austere façade without too many decorative elements. Most windows are square, except a few with a Romanesque arched frame on the second floor. An oversized UK flag can be seen from the outside flying from the roof of the building. Finally, as it is integrated with the other houses in the city centre, it does not have a spectacular garden, but a space that can serve as a patio.
Inside ‘Clarence House’: the former home of Charles III
The house has four floors, not including attics and basements. As the abode of British royalty, it contains unparalleled luxuries within, which the English royal family has accumulated over the centuries. One of the most prized possessions of UK royals is a collection of paintings by Queen Elizabeth. All of them are arranged on the premises and accessible to those who wish to visit ‘Clarence House’, where Charles III of the United Kingdom lived before being crowned King.
It is noticeable that each room has undergone many modifications over time, reflecting that each tenant had their tastes. Among the most outstanding areas of the property, we find: the first-floor corridorThe room, full of Persian carpets, furniture with great historical and artistic value and other decorations; Lancaster’s roomdecorated with busts, figurines and engravings; the librarywhich was designed by the building’s architect, John Nash, and was the Queen’s favourite visiting place in her lifetime; and the royal dining roomrecently redecorated in a beautiful Pompeian style.