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King Charles III at home in Clarence House© Getty Images

Discover King Charles' private homes he's set to lose – from Wales to Transylvania

Following King Charles and Camilla's coronation, discover the jaw-dropping property portfolio they are set to lose now that they're crowned

Chloe Best
Lifestyle Features Editor
May 6, 2023
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Since the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and King Charles III's coronation on 6 May 2023, King Charles has inherited several royal palaces, including Buckingham Palace, which he is likely to soon move into with his wife Queen Camilla.

But ahead of the monarch's coronation day, Charles passed his £1.2billion Duchy of Cornwall holdings onto his eldest son Prince William, however, the new King still has several private homes of his own – the future of which is now uncertain. From his beautiful Welsh cottage to a surprising guest house in Transylvania, discover the private homes King Charles may pass on or sell in the future…

Clarence House, London

The exterior of Charles and Camilla's former home Clarence House© Getty Images
The exterior of Charles and Camilla's former home Clarence House

Located in central London, Clarence House has been Charles and Camilla's official residence for nearly 20 years. It was previously home to the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, and the Queen Mother, who lived there from 1953 until her death in 2002. Clarence House dates back to 1825 and underwent extensive renovation work prior to Charles moving in, however, he kept many of the rooms just as they were when his grandmother lived there.

RELATED: Inside Charles and Camilla's London residence, Clarence House

While the new King and Queen Consort continued to live at Clarence House following the Queen's death, it is expected they will move to Buckingham Palace once renovation work has been completed, and it is unclear what will happen to their former home.

Highgrove House, Gloucestershire

Highgrove House gardens
King Charles bought Highgrove House in 1980

King Charles bought his country estate, Highgrove House, in 1980, and lived there with Princess Diana, Prince William and Prince Harry. The nine-bedroom, six-bathroom mansion is surrounded by 900 acres of organic land, including a farm that Prince Charles installed when he first renovated the property. The gardens, meanwhile, are very important to the Prince of Wales. They have been open to the public for over 25 years on selected dates through the summer, with all the money raised going to charity.

MORE: The most surprising residences in Prince William's new £1.2bn property portfolio

As the property was bought through the Duchy of Cornwall, it is now owned by Prince William, although King Charles III is still expected to stay there when his schedule allows.

Birkhall, Scotland

WATCH: Birkhall is located on the Balmoral Estate in Scotland

Birkhall is the private residence of King Charles and Camilla in Scotland. It is located on the Balmoral estate and is the former home of the Queen Mother, who described it as a 'little big house'. The royal couple self-isolated at their Scottish home during the coronavirus pandemic, and recently returned for private mourning following the Queen's funeral.

DISCOVER: Princess Beatrice's husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi unveils epic Australian home – and those views!

Llwynywermod, Wales

Prince Charles' Welsh residence© Getty Images
Prince Charles' Welsh residence cost £1.2million

King Charles spent 40 years searching for the perfect Welsh residence for his visits to Wales, before purchasing Llwynywermod for £1.2million in 2007. It has three cottages, a grade II-listed barn and a main house where Charles and Camilla stay, situated within 192 acres of countryside in the area of Llwynywermod near Llandovery in Carmarthenshire.

It is likely the residence will now be used by Prince William and Kate, who have been given the title of the Prince and Princess of Wales following the King's accession to the throne.

SEE MORE: Inside Charles and Camilla's Welsh home, Llwynywermod

A rural farmhouse, Transylvania

King Charles' house in Transylvania with two visitors walking towards it© Getty Images
King Charles' house in Transylvania is open for visitors

Among the more surprising additions to King Charles' property portfolio is a rural farmhouse in Viscri, a small village in Transylvania. The royal bought the property in 2006, after falling in love with the country during a visit in 1998.

Typically, he spends a couple of days a year here and the guest house is rented out to the public when he is not there. It's known as the Blue House, and features seven double bedrooms with en-suites, a drawing and dining room, a sitting room and a kitchen.

The Castle of Mey, Scotland

Charles inherited Castle of Mey from his grandmother© Getty Images
Charles inherited Castle of Mey from his grandmother

The Castle of Mey is another residence that King Charles inherited from his grandmother, the Queen Mother, upon her death in 2002. Located on the north coast of Scotland in Caithness, the beautiful estate is now home to a ten-bedroom bed and breakfast, Granary Lodge, which opened in 2019 and was designed to pay homage to the castle's rich history.

MORE: Will Prince William and Kate move house again after the Queen's death?

READ: What Duchess Kate's move to Windsor could mean for her health

Dumfries House, Scotland

Dumfries House© Getty Images
Dumfries House is set on a 2,000-acre estate

King Charles also has another Scottish residence; Dumfries House. The 18th-century stately home is set on a 2,000-acre estate and was saved by the intervention of the Prince of Wales in 2007. As well as being open to the public for guided tours, Dumfries House also has a lodge within the grounds where visitors are able to stay overnight.

RELATED: See more of Dumfries House

Dolphin House, Isles of Scilly

Charles and Camilla visiting the Isles of Scilly wearing sunglasses and camilla holding a parasol© Getty Images

Dolphin House is a six-bedroom property on Tresco, in the Isles of Scilly, belonging to King Charles. It is where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge enjoyed a summer staycation with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in 2019, and offers complete privacy, set upon an island with just 175 residents that is only accessible via sea or air.

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