Standing beside St James’s Palace on The Mall in London, Clarence House has been a royal residence for nearly 200 years.
It was the home of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother from 1953 until her death in 2002 and briefly housed Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) and Prince Philip following their marriage in 1947. It is now the official London home of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
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When was Clarence House built?
Clarence House was built between 1825 and 1827. It was designed by John Nash, the architect behind Buckingham Palace and the Royal Pavilion in Brighton. Originally commissioned for Prince William Henry, Duke of Clarence, who later became King William IV, the house was intended as a more modern and comfortable alternative to the Tudor-era St James’s Palace.
Since then, Clarence House has undergone several renovations, particularly after World War II, when it was damaged during the Blitz. Following the Queen Mother’s death, Prince Charles carried out an extensive programme of restoration to modernise the house, while respecting the style and taste of his grandmother. He also redesigned the garden in her memory.
Today, the arrangement of the rooms and their contents remain much as they were during the Queen Mother's time, with collections of art, English porcelain and silver collections on display. The Morning Room, a favourite of the Queen Mother, also remains largely unchanged, preserving its historic charm.
Can you visit Clarence House?
Clarence House is open to visitors for one month every summer, usually in August, with guided tours of the principal rooms.
What else has Clarence House been used for?
During World War Two, following Prince Arthur’s death in 1942, Clarence House became the headquarters of the Red Cross and St John Ambulance Brigade. Following the war, in 1947 the newlywed Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip moved in, and Princess Anne was born there in 1950.
Who else has lived there?
The Queen Mother and Princess Margaret moved into Clarence House in 1953, after Queen Elizabeth II and King Philip moved into Buckingham Palace. The Queen Mother became well-known for her fondness of hosting cocktail parties at Clarence House.
Princess Diana also lived at Clarence House during her engagement to Prince Charles.
Is there a tunnel between Buckingham Palace and Clarence House?
It's rumoured that there are secret tunnels that run from Buckingham Palace to Clarence House and the Houses of Parliament, but this has never been proven.
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Top image: Clarence House. Credit: ChrisO, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
