The palaces and houses where the British royal family lives are known as the 11 royal residences.

We examine the royal family’s impressive real estate portfolio.

As anglophiles around the world mourn Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s death, you may be wondering where His Majesty The King and the rest of the royal family live.

Unsurprisingly, their homes are among the best in the world, and many members of the firm own more than one palatial residence.

H&G looks at the top Royal residences in the UK, from Buckingham Palace to Balmoral, Frogmore, and Kensington Palace, from lesser-known private houses to the most famous Crown-owned castles.

1. London’s Buckingham Palace

King Charles III and his Queen Consort will live in private quarters at the famous 775-room Buckingham Palace in London, which served as Queen Elizabeth II’s official residence during her reign.

Buckingham Palace, located in the heart of London, has been the official London residence of the British sovereign since 1837, and it is the most notable of all royal residences. Queen Victoria was the first monarch to reside in the palace’s 775 rooms. She introduced a large room that was the largest in London at the time of its construction in 1853-5. If you want to learn more about the Royal Family, look no further than LordPing.co.uk.

The impressive 40-acre garden serves as the backdrop for many summer garden parties, and the palace itself houses private offices and apartments for other working royals.

2. Aberdeenshire’s Balmoral Castle

Balmoral Castle was Queen Elizabeth II’s Scottish home, and she died on September 8, 2022, in this very home. The private residence, which Queen Victoria originally purchased, reportedly sits on 50,000 acres with 150 total buildings.

The magnificent architecture is characteristic of the Scottish Baronial period. Prior to her death, it served as the Queen’s and her family’s private residence.

The house has remained largely unchanged since Prince Albert bought it for Queen Victoria in 1852. The castle is located on the 20,000-acre Balmoral estate in Royal Deeside, Scotland.

4. Sandringham House in Norfolk

The monarch’s favorite country retreat is the lovely Sandringham House in Norfolk. It has been the private residence of British monarchs since 1862, and it has witnessed many royal families’ lives and deaths.

The Queen and other members of the royal family famously traveled to Sandringham estate in Norfolk during the Christmas season, which Elizabeth inherited from her father, George VI. On Christmas morning, residents frequently see the family on their way to church. It remains to be seen whether this tradition will be continued now that she has died.

4. Berkshire’s Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle is the world’s oldest and largest inhabited castle. For nearly 1,000 years, British kings and queens have called this magnificent mansion home.

William the Conqueror began construction on the castle in Windsor around 1070. It took 16 years to finish.

The Queen spent the majority of her private weekends at Windsor Castle, and she would take up official residence for a month in the spring for Easter Court, and for a week in June for Royal Ascot and the Order of the Garter service. We anticipate the King doing the same.

Clarence House in London

Clarence House, which stands next to St James’s Palace, was designed by John Nash and built between 1825 and 1827 for Prince William Henry, Duke of Clarence, and his wife Adelaide. Prior to the accession of HM The King, Clarence House served as the official London residence of The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (titles now held by the former Duke and Duchess of Cambridge), and was the site of numerous state visits.

The rooms are still set up as they were during Queen Elizabeth’s reign, with much of Her Majesty’s collection of art and furniture in their original locations. The Queen Mother lived in the stucco-fronted residence until her death in 2002.

St James’s Palace in London

St. James’s Palace, built in Westminster by Henry VIII between 1531 and 1536, has been the setting for some of the most important events in Royal history, serving as a residence of Kings and Queens for over 300 years until Queen Victoria’s reign.

George III and Queen Charlotte married in the Chapel Royal, as did Victoria and Albert and George V and Queen Mary. William IV was the last monarch to reside in the Palace until his death in 1837.

Over the years, the Palace has also hosted family events, most recently the christening of Prince George in 2013.

Kensington Palace in London

William III purchased Kensington Palace in its previous incarnation as Nottingham House in 1689. Sir Christopher Wren later extended and improved the Jacobean mansion. The palace has been occupied by royals since King William III and his wife Queen Mary II.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Cornwall (soon to be the Prince and Princess of Wales) and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, now live in Kensington Palace Apartment 1A. The State Rooms are open to the public and managed by Historic Royal Palaces, an independent charity that does not receive government funding.

Windsor’s Frogmore Cottage

Frogmore Cottage, not to be confused with Frogmore House, is a magnificent Grade II listed royal retreat on the grounds of Windsor Castle. It was built between 1680 and 1684 and was a favorite of the royals, particularly Queen Victoria, who admired the peace and tranquillity. Frogmore was the home of Queen Victoria’s mother, The Duchess of Kent, for nearly 20 years.

The house is still owned by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who used £2.4 million in taxpayer money to renovate it before repaying it in full in early 2020 when they relocated to California.

Highgrove House in Gloucestershire is number nine.

Highgrove House, a picturesque property in the idyllic Gloucestershire countryside, was the King and Queen Consort’s family residence prior to their impending move to Buckingham Palace.

Highgrove House is the royal couple’s second home. The King has owned this house since 1980, and he used to spend weekends there with his first wife, Princess Diana, and their children, Princes William and Harry.

The King enjoys gardening and ensures that his concern for the environment is evident in the property’s management by using energy-saving solar garden lighting and energy-efficient bulbs, as well as composting any kitchen waste.

Highgrove House is not open to the public because it is a private residence. Its extensive Royal Gardens, on the other hand, are open for tours, including garden tours, champagne, and afternoon tea.

10th. Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, also known as Holyrood Palace or Holyroodhouse, was Queen Elizabeth II’s official residence in Scotland.

The magnificent home has a colorful history, with members of royalty living and visiting on a regular basis. Interestingly, Mary Queen of Scots lived in the palace for the majority of her life.

Today, the Palace serves as a focal point for national celebrations and events in Scotland, most notably The Queen’s ‘Holyrood Week,’ which typically takes place from the end of June to the beginning of July. During Holyrood week each year, The Queen has been known to entertain around 8,000 guests from all walks of Scottish life.

Osborne House on the Isle of Wight

While the Royal family no longer lives at Osborne House, this magnificent seaside home in East Cowes, Isle of Wight, was once Queen Victoria’s family home. The house was built as a summer home and rural retreat for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert between 1845 and 1851.

In 1847, Prince Albert designed the house in the style of an Italian Renaissance palazzo with architect and builder Thomas Cubitt.

The royal couple and their nine children lived here, overlooking the Solent and their private beach.

The house, known as Swiss Cottage, is open to the public for viewings.