King Charles may never live at Buckingham Palace as his move to the monarch's official residence has been put on hold.
Buckingham Palace has been the sovereign's official home since the 1800s and was the primary residence of the late Queen until she moved to Windsor Castle on a more permanent basis at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Charles and Queen Consort Camilla's official London residence was Clarence House - a short walk from the palace along The Mall. At the moment, Buckingham Palace is undergoing a mammoth 10-year renovation project that is costing £369million and is not due to be completed until 2027.
And according to the Sunday Times, this means the King and Queen Consort have "no plans" to move to the palace from Clarence House until the works are completed - but will conduct engagements from there.
The publication reports that during this time, the Royal Standard will fly at both Buckingham Palace and Clarence House when the King is in London.
However, it adds there are fears that Charles and Camilla may never move to the palace at all.
Sources who know the King told the publication he is "very comfortable" at Clarence House, with one adding: "He doesn’t see it [Buckingham Palace] as a viable future home or a house that's fit for purpose in the modern world.
"He feels that its upkeep, both from a cost and environmental perspective, is not sustainable."
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "It is expected that the necessary works will be completed for Their Majesties to take up residence in 2027. In the interim period, the Palace will be fully utilised for official business wherever practicable."
The huge refurbishment of Buckingham Palace was announced in 2016 and it was reported that electrical wiring, radiators and skirting boards would be replaced.
Floorboards would be ripped up and new ones laid, while 78 bathrooms will be replaced.
The palace, one of the most famous buildings in the world, will have miles of electrical cables replaced along with hot and cold water pipes and thousands of plug sockets. Staff who work at the Palace may have to move while work is carried out.
Speaking at the time, Master of The Queen's household Tony Johnstone-Burt said: "Buckingham Palace is one of the most iconic buildings in the world, and this programme is designed to extend its working life by a further fifty years."
