Honestly, most people walking down The Mall in London are so hyper-focused on the gold-tipped gates of Buckingham Palace that they walk right past one of the most interesting royal spots in the city. You’ve probably seen it on the news. It’s that crisp, white stucco building tucked away just a few hundred yards from the "big house."
Clarence House is located on The Mall in the City of Westminster, London (postcode SW1A 1BA).
It isn't some distant country estate. It’s right in the thick of it. If you’re standing at the Victoria Memorial looking toward Buckingham Palace, Clarence House is just to your right, sharing a boundary with the much older, red-brick St James’s Palace. It’s basically the ultimate "attached" house, though "townhouse" feels like a bit of an understatement for a four-story Regency mansion.
Finding the Front Door
Finding where Clarence House is isn't actually that hard once you know what to look for. It sits at the very end of Stable Yard Road. If you are walking from Trafalgar Square toward the Palace, you’ll pass Marlborough House and then see the massive Tudor gateways of St James's Palace. Clarence House is the bright, elegant neighbor attached to its western side.
You can’t just wander in, obviously. There are police and sentries everywhere. But you can get a really good look at the exterior and the famous chimney stacks from the public pavement.
Who actually lives there in 2026?
Here is the part that surprises people. Even though he’s the King, King Charles III and Queen Camilla still live at Clarence House. You might think they’d have moved into Buckingham Palace the second the crown touched his head, but life is rarely that simple. Buckingham Palace is currently undergoing a massive, multi-year "reservicing" project. We're talking ancient wiring, old pipes, and the kind of structural headaches that come with a 775-room office.
Because of this, the King has kept Clarence House as his primary London residence. It’s where he feels at home. He moved there in 2003 after the death of his grandmother, the Queen Mother, who had lived there for nearly 50 years. He’s spent a lot of time and his own money making it "his," including planting a formal garden in memory of the Queen Mother.
A House of Heavy History
This isn't just a placeholder building. It was built between 1825 and 1827. John Nash—the guy basically responsible for how Regency London looks—designed it for the Duke of Clarence, who later became King William IV.
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- 1947-1952: It was the first home of the then-Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip after they got married.
- 1950: Princess Anne was actually born here, not in a hospital or at Buckingham Palace.
- 2003-2011: It was the "bachelor pad" for Prince William and Prince Harry before they moved into Kensington Palace and beyond.
The house has a vibe that’s much more "family home" than "government building." While Buckingham Palace feels like a museum where you aren't allowed to touch anything, Clarence House is filled with the King’s personal watercolours, the Queen Mother’s famous art collection, and family photos that haven't been staged by a PR team.
Can you go inside?
This is the "kinda" part.
Usually, Clarence House opens to the public for a very brief window in August. Because it’s a working residence, they only let people in when the King is away on his summer break (usually in Scotland at Balmoral).
If you manage to snag a ticket—and they sell out fast—you only see the ground floor. But those five rooms are spectacular. You get to see the Morning Room, where Prince William and Catherine Middleton did their official engagement interview. You see the Library where the King hosts world leaders for tea.
The garden is the real star, though. It’s a half-acre oasis in the middle of a concrete city. It’s quiet. You can actually hear the birds, which is wild considering you’re about 30 seconds away from the traffic of Pall Mall.
Pro Tips for Visiting the Area
If you’re planning to head down there to see where Clarence House is, don’t just look at the house.
- Check the flags: If the Royal Standard is flying, the King is "at home." If it's the Union Jack, he’s elsewhere.
- The Sentries: You’ll see the King’s Guard standing outside. They aren't just for show. Don't try to cross the ropes or get too close for a selfie; they will shout, and it’s loud.
- Walk the Park: Directly across from the house is St James's Park. It’s the best place to sit and look at the roofline of the house while eating a sandwich.
- Nearby Palaces: You’re in a "Palace Sandwich" here. Buckingham Palace is to your west, St James's Palace is attached to your east, and Lancaster House is right next door.
Why It Matters
Clarence House represents the "private" side of the British Monarchy. While the big palaces are for the business of being a royal, this house is where the family actually eats dinner and watches TV. It’s a bit of a relic—one of the last great aristocratic townhouses in London that hasn't been turned into luxury flats or an embassy.
It’s easy to miss, but once you find it, you realize it’s actually the heart of the modern royal operation.
Actionable Next Steps:
If you want to see the interior, mark your calendar for the Royal Collection Trust ticket release in early spring. They usually announce the August opening dates in March or April. If you're just visiting London now, take the Tube to Green Park Station. It’s a five-minute walk through the park to the gates of Clarence House. Just follow the signs for "The Mall" and look for the white building that looks like it belongs in a period drama.