Prince George and Princess Charlotte may never live in Buckingham Palace

What does this mean?

From the Editors of GoodToKnow Words by Rachael Martin 

Although they are no stranger to the grand halls of Buckingham Palace, the royal siblings have never actually lived in the palatial home of their great-grandmother - and if new reports are to be believed, they never will.

While Buckingham Palace has always traditionally been home to the reigning British Monarch since Queen Victoria first lived in the Palace from 1837, new reports state that the next generation of royals are looking to buck this trend, and no longer live in the Palace whilst on the throne. 

Apparently Prince Charles doesn't plan to call the Palace home when he becomes King in the future, as he believes 'the big house', as he calls it, is 'too large and costly for modern life'. 

Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, are also apparently very happy in their current residence at Clarence House. 

The smart white stuccoed building situated on The Mall in London has been Prince Charles' official residence for nearly 15 years and he is said to be 'very comfortable' there.

Instead, when Prince Charles becomes King, he apparently plans to turn Buckingham Palace into more of a 'monarchy HQ' used for official business and events. It is also reported that he plans to open more of the Palace up to visitors. 

'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?' one source told The Sunday Times.

Prince Charles' view on living in Buckingham Palace is reportedly also reflected by his son Prince William. 

Wills is apparently also not a 'fan' of Buckingham Palace, preferring instead to stay in a more 'homely' surrounding with his family, meaning that his children may never call Buckingham Palace home. 

Prince George and Princess Charlotte have recently moved with Prince William and Kate to the royal family's other palatial home in central London, Kensington Palace. 

Before that, the family of four lived a relatively private and peaceful life in their home Anmer Hall in Norfolk. Despite the fact that the royal family ‘loved’ living in Norfolk, Prince George starting school and Kate and William's increased royal duties meant that they had no choice but to move back to London.