If any place were to personify the beauty of spring, it's the breathtaking gardens at Highgrove House, the country residence of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. And thanks to a new collection from Sanderson, a historic British design house, you can bring that beauty into your own home.

Inspired by the gardens at Highgrove House and created in collaboration with The King's Foundation, King Charles III's charitable trust, this collection (available at Sanderson) is one of a kind. In fact, a number of the prints have even been used to decorate rooms at Highgrove House itself – so not only will they welcome springtime joy into your home, but a sense of royal heritage, too.

If you've ever fantasized about English country interiors, Sanderson's fabrics and wallpapers bring this charming aesthetic to life – and the Highgrove collection leans into the rich history of the royal gardens.

As a Royal Warrant holder, Sanderson has a close partnership with the British royal residences, and has been supplying them with fabrics, paint and wallcoverings for over a century.

The Highgrove collection was borne out of this partnership: The King's Foundation shared stories behind Highgrove's lush gardens, and the Sanderson design team channeled these stories into magnificent fabric and wallpaper designs.

The collection is brimming with classic prints, from stripes to delicate florals. Each one draws from both the Sanderson archives and the landscape of Highgrove Gardens – like Topiary View, which reimagines the King's topiary yew hedge and Kitchen Garden from a bird's-eye perspective, or Apothecary Rose, which references the stunning blooms adorning the house's facade.

Inside Highgrove House, however, you'll spot a standout print: Highgrove Toile. The anteroom at Highgrove have been reimagined using this spectacular fabric, which melds Sanderson's archival toile with iconic features of Highgrove Gardens – from handsome yew trees to a bust of King Charles himself.

Finished in rich brown, the toile is showcased on curtains, a lampshade, and a magnificent sofa. Since the walls of the room are finished in a textured umber shade, the linens and upholstery create a warm, earthy palette, drawing the eye across the space with their lively patterns.

The curtains create an elegant backdrop, but the sofa is the focal point: boasting a stately silhouette with a pleated trim and slim bolsters, it feels refined and yet welcoming. In an intimate space like the anteroom, Highgrove Toile serves as far more than a simple design feature; it's a deeply personal gesture that brings the space alive.

Toile prints are a time-honored way to bring pastoral scenes to life, but Highgrove Toile boasts a unique undercurrent of royal history.

The pattern was hand-drawn and hand-painted by the Sanderson team, meticulously depicting some of the most magical features of Highgrove Gardens. In the anteroom, it takes on a kind of self-referential quality, demonstrating the majesty of the estate and the care with which King Charles himself has nurtured the gardens.

According to Claire Vallis, Design Director at Sanderson, the gardens are a shining testament to 'the King and his creative vision'.

'Nothing is forced or overly designed,' she explains. 'Every garden blooms in its organic beauty, offering glimpses of history and travel as you go through it. It thrives in this way, which was essential to capture in the collection. Highgrove by Sanderson embodies the gardens and everything they represent.'

In the private dining room, the tables are draped with Rose Pergola Chintz fabric from the Highgrove collection. Crafted from pure linen, the fabric showcases an archival Sanderson block print dating back to the early 19th century. Elegant lines echo the structure of a T-shaped rose pergola in Highgrove Gardens, which was a 50th birthday present to the then Prince of Wales.

Combining pink and green hues with dashes of blue, the print is a whimsical take on traditional florals. In the dining room, the tables stand proudly beneath oval mirrors boasting intricately carved frames – and while the chintz fabric certainly brings dimension and color to the room, it doesn't feel overwhelming or loud.

'Highgrove is a very personal place for His Majesty King Charles III, which has been his home for over 45 years,' says Claire. 'The collection has grown from the garden, in harmony with it, taking on a life of its own as it transforms across fabric and wallpaper.'

From intricate toiles to charming florals and graceful stripes, each print brings Sanderson's illustrious history together with the magic of King Charles' country retreat.

'Highgrove Gardens is a celebratory place; it celebrates nature's abundance and invites people to interact with and enjoy its fruits,' reflects Claire. 'I hope these designs give people that same connection to nature, filling their homes with joy and abundant beauty.'

Shop the Highgrove Collection at Sanderson

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It is no secret that King Charles III has long approached gardening not as a respectable pastime, but as a serious, sustaining practice – just look at his Highgrove Gardens as proof of his passion. However, this year he has decided to give his private love a public platform at the first-ever RHS Sandringham Flower Show.

The monarch is collaborating with award-winning landscape designer Catherine MacDonald on a new feature garden, marking the first occasion an RHS show has been staged at the royal residence in Gloucestershire, in the South West of England

Although the Sandringham Flower Show itself is a long-established event within the royal calendar, this year represents its inaugural outing under the Royal Horticultural Society.

The garden, titled the RHS Royal Legacy Garden, will be designed by Catherine MacDonald in consultation with the King. It will draw on many of his favoured plants, incorporate locally sourced Norfolk materials, and highlight traditional rural skills, offering an editorially minded reflection on the King's enduring commitment to horticulture and landscape stewardship.

'We're thrilled to announce that the Feature Garden at the new RHS Sandringham Flower Show will be designed in collaboration with His Majesty The King,' a post from the horticultural society and the Sandringham Estate shared.

The announcement adds that the garden will celebrate 'His Majesty’s passion for horticulture, including many of his favourite plants as well as local Norfolk materials and showcasing rural skills.'

Alongside the Royal Legacy Garden, the show will introduce two new awards bestowed by the King and Queen. The King will personally select his choice for outstanding contribution to biodiversity, while The Queen will present an award for the finest Upcycled Container – celebrating community creativity in transforming discarded materials into miniature container gardens.

The news about King Charles's RHS garden also coincides with his royal film, Finding Harmony: A King's Vision (available to watch on Amazon).

The film is a deeply personal reflection on the King’s belief in living in balance with the natural world, particularly his beloved gardens. It traces how his ideas about ecological harmony and seeing humanity as part of nature have shaped his life’s work. It features new footage filmed at the beautiful Highgrove House Gardens, showing Charles walking among the vegetable plots he has developed and cared for over the decades.

If these gardens are a hint of what we can expect to see from the Royal Legacy Garden, then we have very high hopes indeed.

Tickets for the RHS Sandringham Flower Show are available online. However, for those who can't make the trip, this book offers a detailed insight into the estate, focusing on the evolving architecture and changing decor across the centuries.

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King Charles has created an unusually personal royal film (to be screened on Amazon's Prime Video next month), in which he addresses his great loves: Plants and gardening.

In the film, the British monarch asserts his belief in the need for human life to work in keeping with the natural world, and this starts with plants. It addresses one of the most enduring caricatures of the King – the idea that he ‘talks to plants’ – showing how comments about his closeness to nature were used to marginalise his views.

However, as sustainability entered the mainstream over time, these perceptions shifted and ideas once dismissed as eccentric came to be seen not as folly, but as common sense.

The King may have brought the idea of 'talking to plants' to his royal residences, but this concept already has a surprisingly rich history. Humans have long believed that talking to or otherwise interacting with plants could help them grow or thrive, dating back to ancient times.

Some ancient civilizations, like the Greeks and Romans, held beliefs that plants responded to care, attention, or even words. However, the concept became more popularized in the 17th and 18th centuries, when natural philosophers began experimenting more methodically.

For example, Jan Ingenhousz, known for his work on photosynthesis, also observed plant responses to light and environment. People started noticing that plants could react to stimuli in ways that seemed almost communicative.

Today, talking to your greenery, whether it's a small collection of indoor plants on your windowsill or rare flowers in a royal garden, is a common practice, and it comes with approval from the experts.

'To some, the King’s habit of speaking to plants has seemed quaint, even peculiar. Yet in his film, it celebrates his lifelong philosophy: that small acts of attention reflect a broader responsibility to nurture the natural world,' comments Tenielle Jordison, a garden's content editor at Homes & Gardens.

'Beyond the garden, talking to plants can have real benefits for people. Tending and speaking to greenery can reduce stress, lift mood, and encourage mindfulness. It' a simple way to reconnect with the natural world, nurturing our wellbeing, even if it's just a small house plant.'

There's never a bad time to buy a new plant, but in the light of this royal news, we can't resist another one. I've listed my favorite plant accessories, including some beautiful pots, below.

King Charles’ lifelong habit of talking to plants may once have seemed eccentric, but in today’s world, it’s a reminder that small acts of care – whether in a royal garden or on a windowsill – can connect us to nature and to ourselves. Perhaps it’s time to add a new plant to your own collection.

King Charles has revealed plans for an $8.7 million architectural intervention at one of Scotland’s most significant historic estates, Dumfries House. His plans will convert part of the estate into an events venue ideal for weddings.

Recently, unveiled by The King’s Foundation, the project introduces a new extension to the East Wing of the 18th-century Palladian house in East Ayrshire. While the 2,000-acre estate is not an official royal residence, it has long served as the foundation's headquarters, which Charles established in 1990 to promote sustainable living through education, craft, and design.

The single-storey addition, to be known as 'The King’s Hall', is scheduled to open in summer 2027. Designed to accommodate up to 200 guests, the space will host a programme of events, from private celebrations (including weddings) to public community celebrations.

King Charles discovered the home in 2007, when he was The Prince of Wales (known in Scotland as The Duke of Rothesay). At the time, the estate faced an uncertain future and risked dispersal. Recognising its cultural and architectural significance, he brought together a consortium of organisations and individuals to 'passionately' secure the home's preservation.

In 2016, the King reflected on the home's decade in Dumfries House Magazine, noting that 'an astonishing amount [had] happened' since preservation began.

'I look back to those very early days with immense relief at the extraordinary reality that we did, indeed, save the House and its marvellous contents, but then there was the frightening thought about the road ahead,' he wrote.

'This project has been as much about people as it has about a physical place. The way that our local communities and our employees speak with such pride as to what has been achieved is enormously rewarding and wonderfully motivating.'

Today, the extension continues a careful evolution of the estate, balancing heritage conservation with contemporary functionality and reinforcing Dumfries House’s role as a living, working site – rather than a static historic monument.

You can read more about its fascinating history, on the brink of its new chapter, in Dumfries House by Simon Green, available at Amazon.

Since purchasing Highgrove House in 1980, King Charles has famously transformed the neglected grounds into a 15-acre masterpiece of garden rooms, among them, the aptly named Carpet Garden.

King Charles’s Carpet Garden, hidden deep within Highgrove House's grounds, is a stunning walled retreat, designed to evoke the experience of stepping inside one of his treasured Turkish carpets.

The design draws inspiration from a sketch Charles made after years of admiring the ornate carpet in his Highgrove home, and pays homage to Islamic garden aesthetics: geometric symmetry, central water feature, scented plantings.

The garden first made its appearance at London's RHS Chelsea Flower Show back in 2021, receiving a Silver‑Gilt Medal (a first for a Royal entrant). Now, also known as the 'Paradise Garden,' it's one of the several themed 'garden rooms' at Highgrove. And, better yet, it's open to guests.

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What exactly makes the Carpet Garden so unique? Firstly, as mentioned, the space mimics the layout and symmetry of a traditional Turkish-style carpet, translating textile design into a horticultural context. Specifically, the plant beds represent the various motifs found in a woven rug, including borders, central medallions, and repeating patterns.

Those with an interest in traditional Islamic gardens may also recognise how it follows the 'chahar bagh' (four-part garden) layout, often used in Islamic gardens to symbolize paradise. It also has a strong geometric framework, divided by stone paths and the statement water feature that sits as the jewel of the King's garden.

The royal residence is open to the public from April until October every year, so if you find yourself around Gloucestershire, in England's south-west, you can see the Carpet Garden for yourself. It's one of many themed gardens around Highgrove, all designed with organic principles, sustainability, and timeless aesthetics in mind.

If you ever manage to see it for yourself, we expect it will resonate long after you leave Highgrove's grounds.

For many Brits, Christmas Day involves tuning into the monarch's annual broadcast, usually filmed in a palace or castle (such as Buckingham Palace in 2023).

This year, in a pause from tradition, King Charles III recorded his message beyond one of his royal residences, specifically in Fitzrovia Chapel, a Gothic Revival church in the center of Westminster, London. However, while the location has broken conventions, the Christmas decorations seen in the backdrop remain as classic as expected. Perhaps inevitably, this begins with the tree.

The Christmas tree, seen behind King Charles III, follows the same format as in previous years – exhibiting a natural green base, gold string lights, and a series of red and gold ornaments that tie the classic look together. It's a combination that hasn't gone unnoticed by color experts, including Lucy Steele, a design expert from V&CO, who says the style is surprisingly replicable.

'If there’s one Christmas decoration the Royals are known for, it’s a Christmas Tree. Since bringing them to the UK all those years ago, the Royals certainly know how to deck a tree, and they always make it the focus of the room,' Steele comments. 'The Royals always stick to the classic color schemes; rich dark reds and greens provide the perfect colors for festivities, with gold and glittered aspects to create a truly magical feel in the home.'

Darker reds and greens are also crucial to the royal color scheme – but Christmas offers an opportunity to introduce these hues into our homes (in ways that may seem less possible at other points of the calendar).

'Opting for darker, more depthful reds and greens is important to making the space feel more expensive and elevated than bright reds and greens, which can feel harsher on the eye when used in abundance,' Steele explains. 'Using subtle versions of classic Christmas colors will add depth to the space, as well as beauty, and add the right amount of romantic charm.'

Antique ornaments offer another way to bring a personal (yet regal) look to your Christmas tree.

'The Royals definitely stick to more traditional-looking decorations, with lots of Tudor and Victorian-inspired elements that match the home and interiors. Looking for antique ornaments in charity shops and antique stores is a fun way to incorporate this look into your own home,' Steele comments. Plus, we can take royal lessons beyond the tree.

'Other key elements the Royals use to make the home look more historic are things like bows, which also happen to be a big trend of 2024. Whether it's trimming the tree with bows or tying them to the banister, bows add an endearing and classic look to the home.'

Prince Harry's new autobiography, Spare, tells of an alleged incident between him and his brother, William, the Prince of Wales, in Nottingham Cottage on Kensington Palace grounds. 

Nottingham Cottage served as the couple's first home when Meghan first moved to London and consequently featured in their eponymous Netflix series. In the show, they share that the royal residence 'sounds like a palace' but, for them, it wasn’t. 'As far as people were concerned, we were living in a palace,' Harry says in the documentary. 'And we were – in a cottage. In palace grounds.'

'Kensington Palace sounds very regal; of course, it does. It says "palace" in the name! But Nottingham Cottage was so small,' Meghan says. She adds that Harry would often hit his head in the same place because of his height. 'It was just a chapter in our lives where I don’t think anyone could believe what it was actually like behind the scenes.' 

However, Nottingham Cottage is again making headlines following Harry's claims regarding Prince William's visit to Nottingham Cottage (also known as 'Nott Cott').

What is Nottingham Cottage?

The property was designed by acclaimed English architect Sir Christopher Wren, who also created St. Paul's Cathedral in London in the 17th century, following the Great Fire of London. Its name derives from Nottingham House, the residence of the Earl of Nottingham. Meghan and Harry lived there before moving to Frogmore Cottage in April 2019, ahead of the birth of their first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten Windsor. 

How many bedrooms does Nottingham Cottage have?

The 1,324-square-foot home has two bedrooms, two reception rooms, and a bathroom. There is also a small country garden that leads onto the wider Kensington Palace estate. 

Marion Crawford, a governess to Princess Margaret and Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II), resided in the cottage from 1948 to 1950. She described it as 'a dream 'of seasoned red brick...with roses round the door' (according to Elizabeth: A Biography of Her Majesty the Queen by Sarah Bradford). 

Who lives in Nottingham Cottage now?

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex moved out of Nottingham Cottage in 2019, setting up their home in Frogmore Cottage following their wedding.

Nottingham Cottage is now home to another young royal family. The two-bedroom home on the grounds of Kensington Palace is currently reported to be home to Harry’s cousin Princess Eugenie, her husband Jack Brooksbank, and their son August.

The year 2022 was one of historic change for the Royal Family. The period that began with Queen Elizabeth II on the throne will end with King Charles III as the reigning monarch following her death on September 8th. 

The Queen's passing saw a shift in the family member's titles, responsibilities, and royal residences. So after a year of significant change, it is only inevitable to wonder how their Christmas will compare to previous years. 

Many families learn that the first holiday after a death is the hardest, which is likely to be the case for the royals, who will no doubt remember the late Queen during their festivities. But what can we expect from King Charles' first Christmas on the throne? 

5 Royal Family Christmas traditions

Here, investigate the royals' most notable traditions and whether they are likely to continue after a year like no other.

1. The family will celebrate at Sandringham

King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla will host the royal family at Sandringham –the Norfolk estate frequented by the late monarch at Christmas.

Queen Elizabeth spent 32 holidays at the country residence and only broke tradition during the coronavirus pandemic when she celebrated at Windsor Castle. However, this year, King Charles is set to resume the Christmas tradition and welcome the Prince and Princess of Wales and other senior members of the family. 

Royal experts speculate how long the younger royals will stay at Sandringham, with some suggesting that Catherine hopes to spend some of the period with her parents, the Middletons. However, it is expected that they will be there for at least some of the day – and possibly longer. 

This year, The Daily Mail reports that the King may invite Prince Andrew’s ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York (famously known as Fergie), to celebrate with her daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. She has not celebrated with the Royals since 1992 when she separated from the Prince. 

2. They will attend church on Christmas morning

Many families go for a Christmas walk and/or attend a service at their local house of worship, and the Royals are no different. 

On Christmas morning, the family walks from Sandringham to St. Mary Magdalene Church, a 16th-century structure that was visited by Queen Victoria in the nineteenth century. While en route, the family greets well-wishers who often descend on the small town for the 25th. 

It is not guaranteed that the Royals will attend this service, but given their affiliation with the Church of England, it is expected this tradition will continue into 2022 and beyond.

3. Gifts are opened on Christmas Eve

The Royal Family opens their gifts on Christmas Eve – celebrating a Teutonic custom named Heiligabend Bescherung, the legacy of Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, who also imported the German habit of cutting off the top of a fir tree for it to be decorated inside the home. 

A royal expert confirmed to the Daily Beast that the Christmas Eve tradition will continue and that the family will open their gifts at tea time on the 24th. 

4. The King gifts staff a Christmas tree

With his new role as monarch, Charles is now in charge of gifting not just presents to his staff – but Christmas trees too. 

The Queen's father, King George VI, passed the tradition to his daughter, who was known to give a tree to those who work for the family. Marie Claire reported that the trees came from her Windsor Crown Estate, and every year, she would gift a new tree with a Christmas pudding.

In a statement, the palace confirmed the Queen's gifts in 2021, saying that all members of the Royal Household received presents from Her Majesty, who personally handed the presents to some members at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.

5. The Christmas message is pre-recorded at an earlier date

Hello! reports that the King will have pre-recorded his Christmas address to the Commonwealth before the 25th – allowing him and his family to have a relaxed holiday. 

King George V started this tradition when he broadcast his speech on the radio in 1932. It has since become a memorable part of the Christmas Day celebrations for many in the United Kingdom and globally. This year, the King will likely pay tribute to his late mother in the speech, which will be broadcast at 3 PM (GMT) on Christmas Day. 

King Charles III is set to host his first Christmas – not only as the British monarch – but without his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. This holiday will be the first in modern history without the Queen, who was known for spending the 25th in her beloved Sandringham home in Norfolk, eastern England. 

The royal residence has become synonymous with Christmas for many across the UK and worldwide, for a good reason. The Queen was known to have spent 32 Christmases in the country retreat and only broke tradition during the coronavirus pandemic when she celebrated at Windsor Castle. 

This year, BBC News reports that King Charles will return to Sandringham, along with his wife Camilla, Queen Consort, and their wider family. However, royal expert Jeremy Archer suggests that year will be more low-key, and the Prince and Princess of Wales may not stay in Sandringham for an extended time. 

Jeremy Archer predicts Prince William and Princess Catherine will likely spend Christmas at Sandringham but will then travel south to Berkshire (with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis of Wales) to spend New Year's with the Middletons. 

'It is going to be different, but Christmas at Sandringham works well for the family,' the expert shared with OK!. 'Unlike Windsor and Buckingham Palace, it's a sporting venue and fits in well with their traditional Boxing Day shoot,' he says. 

Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond adds that the Prince and Princess may only call into Sandringham to say 'hello' on Christmas day – saying that they may want to 'do their own thing for at least part of the time.' Therefore, it's possible that they may only enjoy a festive lunch at the Norfolk estate before moving elsewhere.

'While I imagine there will be a gathering at Sandringham, whether it will be quite as extended as it used to be with the Queen and with quite as many people, I’m not sure,' Bond says. 

If the King follows Christmas traditions, he will join the family at a service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham on Christmas morning. Queen Elizabeth II was also known to gift her staff presents and a Christmas tree, so he will likely follow this ritual, too.

Beyond the home's regal interiors (and, we expect, luxe Christmas decorations), its grounds are equally as impressive. King Charles's private garden at the Sandringham Estate is among the most beautiful in the country – created by architect and garden designer Geoffrey Jelicoe in 1947 for King George VI. 

The formal enclosed areas of the garden showcase a quintessential 'cottage garden' aesthetic, which we expect to look beautiful when covered in snow.

Sandringham is not a full-time royal residence, meaning it is open to the public for much of the year. It is, however, closed for the holidays, when the family comes together, just as they will do this weekend. You can plan your visit to Sandringham online. 

Sandringham, PE35 6EN, England.

Prince William vowed to make a sentimental change to his refrigerator after recently receiving a handmade gift from a young royal fan.

While touring the East Midlands of England last week, the Prince of Wales and the Princess Catherine visited a Royal Air Force station, where they met Blake Fearnley, a three-year-old boy who had hand-drawn the Disney character Mickey Mouse. 

According to Blake's mother, Laura, Prince William promised he would 'put it on his fridge' when he returned home to Adelaide Cottage – the royal residence located on the grounds of Windsor Home Park. The future king shares the historic four-bedroom home with the Princess of Wales and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

Little is known about Adelaide Cottage's interior decor; however, Princess Catherine has shown a glimpse of the home's living room, which served as the backdrop to a video she posted on Twitter.

The family is yet to share an in-depth description or photo of their kitchen ideas; however, it is possible the appliance features a certain drawing from the young royal fan. Plus, while it is not certain which kitchen appliances the royals use in Adelaide Cottage, Prince William and Princess Catherine are reportedly fans of a Sub-Zero & Wolf, the high-end kitchen appliance company. 

According to 'insider sources' acquired by the British newspaper The Daily Mail, the Prince and Princess invested in Sub-Zero & Wolf refrigerator-freezer and oven after consulting food journalist Tom Parker Bowles (son of Prince Charles' wife Camilla Parker Bowles) on the best appliance to buy. 

According to the report, Prince William and Princess Catherine purchased a large refrigerator, freezer, and oven for their kitchen in Kensington Palace. However, after using these high-end products for over eight years, we would be surprised to find the same, or more, Sub-Zero & Wolf products in Adelaide Cottage's kitchen.

One of the best things to look for when buying a range oven is a royal endorsement, but the Prince and Princess are not alone in their reported admiration for the products. Victoria Beckham, Sir Paul McCartney, Madonna, and Rod Stewart are also said to own a Sub-Zero & Wolf fridge – complete with a NASA-invented air-purification system that kills bacteria in the fridge. We think it may be worth the investment. 

Everybody has certain quirks that set their mornings aside from the conventional, whether through a particular shower ritual or the unique way you take a coffee. For King Charles III, however, mornings begin in a way that is distinctly different from what you might expect. 

Every morning at 09:00 promptly, King Charles III is awoken by the sound of bagpipes – following a 179-year-old practice that began with Queen Victoria in 1843.

On the morning of October 24th, Pipe Major Paul Burns played for the first time at the Clarence House, the King's royal residence in London, but has played daily since his reign began last month.

He is the 17th piper to fulfil the duty and previously played for Queen Elizabeth before her death on September 8th, 2022.

Pipe Major Burns (videoed above) follows the monarch around the royal residences, including Windsor Castle and Highgrove House – depending on where the King is spending the night. Every morning, he ensures he is awoken by a daily performance that consists of two seven-minute sessions – separated by a minute in between to tune the Scottish instrument.

While the piper (who is an official member of the member of the Royal Household) acts as the King's alarm clock each morning, his jobs continue throughout the day. The BBC reports that he is also responsible for greeting people at official engagements before they meet the monarch. He also reportedly holds quarters at Buckingham Palace but travels to wherever the monarch is based before fulfilling his daily role.

Pipe Major Burns also gained global admiration last month after reciting the lament Sleep, Dearie, Sleep as the late Queen's coffin left Westminster Abbey at the end of her funeral service. The piper is the only non-royal permitted to wear Balmoral tartan, as seen in the footage.

Despite the daily performance, it is unknown how frequently the sounds of the traditional instrument are responsible for waking the King from his sleep. In the years before becoming King, the then-Prince of Wales suggested he liked to begin his royal duties before 09:00 in a number of newspaper profiles. It is, therefore, likely that King Charles is already awake to hear this part of his morning routine. 

In a break with tradition, King Charles III is not expected to make the move to Buckingham Palace, the seat of the British monarchy, despite his new role as Monarch. 

The decision was one of the first made by the king after his ascension, with the King and Queen consort instead choosing one of their smaller preferred royal residences as their primary dwelling. The decision is one of many steps taken by the king as he aims to continue the modernization of the monarchy in the 21st century, something that his mother, Elizabeth II began the process of as early as her coronation in 1952. 

A royal insider reported that the King did not believe the palace was 'fit for purpose in the modern world' with the monarch unable to see the palace as 'a viable future home.' 

The choice of Clarence House

While the new King and Queen Consort will divide their time between three properties, Clarence House has become a firm favorite and shall remain the primary residence for the couple as they assume their new duties. Having moved into the home in 2003, the four-story stucco-faced home has been a site of refuge for the couple for many years, hosting close family such as son Prince William before his marriage in 2011, and his brother Harry. 

Just a short walk away from the Palace, the Regency-era property itself was built in 1825 by James Nash for the Duke of Clarence, the property's namesake. Since its creation, the property has continued to pass down through the royal generations, once being the home of both Queen Victoria's mother, Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, and Queen Elizabeth II's mother. Interestingly, the home became the center of the Red Crosses' efforts during World War II, making it a stand-out piece of British history all-round.

King Charles' preference for the home is not a new phenomenon, however, with his Mother and Father, Prince Phillip, also wishing to remain in the home following Elizabeth II's succession in the 1950s. At that point, however, the pressure to follow tradition and make the move to Buckingham was much stronger and so the royal couple moved shortly after the coronation. 

The new King will also spend time at Windsor Castle and Sandringham House throughout the week, however, it is suspected that the couple will often slip away to their private residence Highgrove House, a property bought by the King in 1980 which has since been the home to many of his and Camilla's gardening exploits. 

The future of Buckingham Palace 

Although the new king has little interest in moving into the palace anytime soon, it will remain a key emblem of the monarchy and will be used for affairs of the state wherever practicable. 

What's more, with the royals not planning on moving to the home anytime soon, it is believed that more of the palace will soon be opened up to the public, expanding the existing tours into areas previously unseen by general visitors. 

Buckingham Palace is also currently undergoing mass renovations, the largest and most detailed since World War II involving a complete rework of wiring, pipes, and heating systems to bring the 319-year-old Palace up to modern standards. The work is not due to be complete until 2027, with the renovations costing the British Taxpayer approximately $423 million. 

One thing is for sure, this is the start of a very new era of the monarchy. 

The Prince and Princess of Wales have inherited a quaint farmhouse aptly located in the southwestern county of Carmarthenshire, Wales. 

Named Llwynywermod Estate, the cottage was formally owned by King Charles III, who purchased the property on the outskirts of Myddfai 15 years ago. The lesser-known royal residence was often frequented by the King and his wife, Camilla, Queen Consort. However, it became home to the new Prince and Princess of Wales following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8th. 

What was once a former model farm is now one of the world's best homes (owned by one of the most famous couples), but it is not William and Catherine's first property in Wales. 

The Prince and Princess had already spent three years living in Anglesey, north Wales, when William was stationed in the area as a search and rescue helicopter pilot for the RAF. The report from WalesOnline explains that the couple lived in the country between 2010 and 2013; however, since then, they have lived in Kensington Palace in London – and Adelaide Cottage (near Windsor Castle). 

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III automatically became the reigning monarch – meaning Prince William and Catherine (formally the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) gained the title of the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, who have control of the Duchy of Cornwall. 

As the owner of the Duchy of Cornwall, William has access to all forms of the Duchy Estate – including the Llwynywermod Estate.

The Duchy of Cornwall reportedly purchased the farmhouse for £1.2 million – a figure that includes the main house, along with three smaller cottages and a barn. Plus, despite its royal owner, some parts of the Llwynywermod Estate are used as vacation homes where you can become acquainted with traditional decorating ideas – from the slate-flagged kitchen to the oak shutters and cocooning built-in bookcases.  

WalesOnline report that King Charles and Camilla would often stay in the farmhouse around St David’s Day (the Feast of the patron saint of Wales) when the former Prince carried out official duties throughout Wales. Reports also suggest that Charles would attend church services on Sunday mornings and also opened the new village hall near Llwynywermod.

Notably, King also visited the estate in April 2021, following the death of his father, the Duke of Edinburgh. 

Beyond the farmhouse's interior, the royal couple and their children (and guests) can enjoy the proximity to mid-Wales and the Brecon Beacons – a mountain range in Wales. There is also a host of heritage sites, walking trails, and nature reserves close to the estate.

Llwynywermod Estate, Carmarthenshire, Wales, United Kingdom.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex didn't get their first choice of accommodation when they lived in the United Kingdom after their 2018 marriage, a new book released by a royal author claims. After requesting a private suite in Windsor Castle, the couple was gifted Frogmore Cottage instead. 

It is a well-known fact that the royal residences hold great significance to many members of the royal family. The senior royals live in historic homes across the country, with Prince William recently moving into Adelaide Cottage in Windsor close to Windsor Castle with his family as he takes up his new position as the Prince of Wales. 

But The New Royals, written by Katie Nicholl, reveals that Harry and Meghan were not given the residence they initially requested and that the home has been an issue of contention ever since. 

The royal author has revealed that the Duke and Duchess were initially hoping for ‘a suite of apartments at Windsor Castle’, but were denied this by the late Queen Elizabeth II who instead provided the couple with Frogmore Cottage. 

The cottage was seen as a generous gift to the young couple despite the then-newlyweds desire for the Windsor Suites, the book reveals, with the late monarch hoping they would respect her decision. 

The Duke and Duchess retain ownership of the cottage to this day, despite relocating to the United States in 2020 after stepping back as senior royals. The cottage was renovated for the couple shortly after it was gifted to them in 2019, costing £2.4 million and involving months of extensive renovation to turn the original 10 bedroom staff accommodation back into a five-bedroom family home.

Frogmore Cottage sits in the grounds of Frogmore House, a much grander retreat once favored by Queen Victoria.

Situated approximately half a mile away from Windsor Castle it has been a royal home since 1792. The home is now largely open to the public, but, the estate is closed to celebrate royal events such as Harry and Meghan's wedding reception and for hosting grand state events. 

For the late Queen to gift the smaller of the Frogmore properties to the Duke and Duchess was significant, however, according to close sources. ‘The cottage was a big deal,’ the late Queen's cousin Lady Elizabeth Anson told book author Nicholl (according to the Daily Mail). ‘The Queen's entrance into the gardens is right next to their cottage. It is essentially her backyard, her solitude, and her privacy. She was giving that up in gifting Harry and Meghan Frogmore Cottage. We all thought it was very big of her. She said, “I hope they'll respect it.”‘

The cottage, although not their first choice, held special significance to the couple too, with their engagement photos having been taken in the grounds surrounding the home. 

Windsor Castle has been a royal home for over 900 years and was a firm favorite of the late Queen. The home is not only a working palace and center of many formal royal duties but also a private home where she usually spent her weekends and the Easter period – a tradition expected to be upheld by the new King Charles III. 

The palace is the largest working inhabitable palace in the world, with around 1,000 rooms, so it may be understandable why Harry and Meghan were initially so adamant about converting some of the rooms into a private suite. 

It is thought that the request was denied formally due to the unsuitability of the flat for a growing young family. 

The Duke and Duchess now spend the majority of their time in the US at their family home in sunny California however they spent significant time at Meghan Markle's former Los Angeles house as a single couple.

The Sussexes now reside in a private gated mansion in Montecito, Santa Barbara, with Frogmore Cottage kindly lent to Princess Eugenie and her husband in their absence.

St James's Palace recently made headlines as the setting of the ceremony in which King Charles III was officially proclaimed Britain's new sovereign. On the day following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September 2022, Charles visited the Palace in Westminster, London, where the world watched him become King. 

However, while St James's Palace may have re-entered the news in recent weeks, this estate has maintained centuries of significance. It is known as 'the most senior palace in the United Kingdom' – and one of the most potent royal residences in the country. 

The Tudor structure, completed in 1536, has housed a host of royals over the centuries – including Anne, Princess Royal, who currently uses it as her London base. 

Does anyone live in St James palace?

St. James' Palace is Princess Anne's official London residence, which she frequents when she is in the British capital for engagements. When she isn't in London, the Princess lives in Gatcombe Park, her country residence near the village of Minchinhampton in Gloucestershire, England. 

Like St. James' Palace, Gatcombe Park is one of the most regal estates in the United Kingdom (and one of the world's best homes) – spanning over 730 acres of the South Western countryside.  

Up until fall 2017, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie shared an apartment inside St. James' Palace. Little is known about the apartment's layout and decorating ideas – but it is believed that their apartment was four floors high and had four bedrooms. 

The State Apartments also host around 100 receptions each year. Most events are for charities associated with members of the senior Royal Family.

Did Henry VIII live at St. James's Palace?

Following its completion in 1536 (on the site of a leper hospital), St James's Palace became Henry VIII's favored residence during his marriage to Anne Boleyn. At this time, the Palace was secondary in importance (after the Palace of Whitehall) amongst many Tudor and Stuart monarchs.

In more recent history, (in 1941) the United Kingdom met with representatives from 13 other nations to sign the Declaration of St James's Palace. This was the first of six treaties that established the United Nations – and led to the composition of the Charter of the United Nations.

Today, St James's remains a working palace while acting as the London base for Princess Anne and Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy (a first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II).

Can the public visit St. James palace?

Officially, St James's Palace is not open to the public. However, you can visit the Chapel Royal and Queen's Chapel on particular Sundays of the year by attending a church service.

You can also visit other royal residences including Windsor Castle where the Prince and Princess of Wales will reside, and Kensington Palace – the former home of Princess Margaret and Diana, Princess of Wales. 

After the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September 2022, Buckingham Palace announced that the longest-reigning monarch in British history would be laid to rest in St George’s Chapel at Windsor. After serving as the head of the royal family for 70 years, upon her death, her eldest son and heir apparent, Prince Charles, immediately ascended as King Charles III.

The Queen's funeral will take place on 19 September 2022, and the service will begin at 8 am (BST), when the doors of Westminster Abbey will open, culminating in a private service at 7.30 pm (BST) at the King George VI Memorial Chapel.

The history of St George’s Chapel

Construction of St George’s Chapel, Windsor, was begun in 1475 by Edward IV. It is one of the most remarkable late Gothic ecclesiastical buildings in Britain – perhaps in Europe. It certainly ranks with iconic national buildings such as King’s College, Cambridge, and Westminster Abbey. In St George’s Chapel and its rituals, the past and present meet on a daily basis, reinforcing a very British sense of history. 

The Chapel is an integral part of the great Windsor Castle complex, which dominates the skyline above the town of Windsor and is today an important part of our image of nation and monarchy. The Chapel is a “chapel” really only in name. It is more like a small cathedral in its elegance and the sumptuousness of its furnishings.

Windsor Castle has been important to the monarchy since the time of the conqueror, as William I hunted the district eagerly. Edward III was actually born in the castle and styled himself as “of Windsor”, helping to establish it as a favorite royal residence of the royal family. Charles II added extensive and stately apartments after the Restoration of the monarchy, although the character of the castle was later transformed back to a more romantic medieval form and outline under George IV (formerly the Prince Regent), with the architect Sir Jeffry Wyatville, in the 1820s, which included raising the famous round tower by 30ft.

Where is St George’s Chapel?

St George’s Chapel is located on the ground of Windsor Castle, one of the Queen's many beloved homes, in Berkshire.

The castle is considered to have some of the finest examples of defensive, domestic, and religious architecture through the centuries, and the huge 15th-century St George’s Chapel, the castle’s place of worship, is considered a highlight of English Perpendicular Gothic design. It is also the burial place of many past kings, including amongst many others Henry VIII and Charles I.

The castle is by all definitions a working palace, with even St George’s Chapel being used for daily services.

Who is in the royal vault at St George's Chapel?

St George’s Chapel gradually became, in effect, a great royal mausoleum. It houses the tombs of 10 monarchs: King Edward IV and his wife, Elizabeth Woodville; King Henry VI; King Henry VIII and his third wife, Jane Seymour; King Charles I; King George III; King George IV; King William IV; King Edward VII and his wife, Alexandra of Denmark; King George V and his wife, Mary of Teck; and King George VI. 

The Queen Mother and Princess Margaret are also buried here and the Queen will be buried alongside them. She will later be joined by her late husband Prince Philip, whose body will be removed from the Royal Vault to be laid next to Her Majesty.

St. George’s Chapel has also, in the past, been a preferred site for royal family celebrations – including many weddings and christenings.

Can the public visit St George’s Chapel?

St George’s Chapel is open to the public, however, Windsor Castle is a working palace and may be subject to full or partial closure. 

Visitors are reminded that St George's Chapel is a place of worship.  At least three services take place in the chapel every day, and worshippers are welcome to attend freely. On Sunday the Chapel is closed to visitors – all are welcome to attend services.

Clarence House is set to remain the official London residence of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, even after the £369 million refurbishment of Buckingham Palace is completed.

Although Buckingham Palace will continue to serve as the administrative headquarters of the monarchy and the setting for major state occasions, royal accounts have confirmed that the King and Queen have decided to keep Clarence House as their permanent London home.

The decision is expected to allow greater public access to Buckingham Palace and reflects the couple's long-standing attachment to Clarence House, where they have lived together since their marriage in 2005. It is also understood that, now both in their late seventies, neither wished to undertake the upheaval of moving themselves and their staff into Buckingham Palace.

Standing beside St James's Palace in Westminster, Clarence House is one of the capital's most significant royal residences and one of the last remaining aristocratic townhouses in London still serving as both a family home and a historic property.

Who Lived in Clarence House?

While Queen Elizabeth II was alive, the then Prince and Duchess lived in Clarence House when in London, which stands beside St James’s Palace in Westminster and was the home of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh following their marriage in 1947.

The Queen Mother lived there from 1953 until her death in 2002. Charles then inherited the central London residence and, while it has undergone renovations, he has kept many of the rooms and the furniture just as they were when his grandmother lived there.

Did Queen Elizabeth II live in Clarence House?

It was the London home of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother from 1953 until 2002 and was also the home of The Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, and The Duke of Edinburgh following their marriage in 1947.

When first in residence, King Charles III carried out extensive renovations before moving into Clarence House on 4 August 2003.

Clarence House also provides office accommodation for The Prince of Wales's Household, who support the reigning monarch in their official engagements and liaise with over 350 organizations with whose work they are involved, according to Royal UK.

Who owns Clarence House?

Clarence House, one of the last remaining aristocratic townhouses in London, is an official residence owned by The Crown Estate.

According to The Crown Estate website: 'The Crown Estate belongs to the reigning monarch 'in right of The Crown', that is, it is owned by the monarch for the duration of their reign, by virtue of their accession to the throne.' Clarence House is not a private property of the monarch, which means it cannot be sold by the monarch, nor do revenues from it belong to the reigning monarch.

The Government also does not own The Crown Estate. It is managed by an independent organization – established by statute – headed by The Crown Estate Commissioners, and the surplus revenue from the estate is paid each year to the Treasury for the benefit of the nation's wealth and finances.

Is Clarence House open to the public?

Part of Clarence House is open to the public during the month of August, and visitors can be shown around five rooms on the ground floor. The décor is grand yet comforting, decorated with antique rugs and impressive chandeliers.

There are also personal photographs on display, including wedding photos and pictures of King Charles’ sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, when they were children. The former price also displays some of his own watercolor paintings.

While in residence, Charles would often host official visitors at Clarence House, most commonly in the formal living room, which has large, grand lamps, historic family paintings, and a light-blue-and-gold theme. The morning room boasts a large open fire, historic artwork, and antique furniture.

A keen gardener and environmentalist, King Charles III personally designed a formal area of the grounds in 2004 in honor of The Queen Mother, and the grounds have been carefully planned and tended.

The planting was laid out by members of The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts. Clarence House also provides offices for the Prince of Wales's household and is used by Charles and Camilla for receptions, official entertaining, and to host official visitors to the UK.

You don't need to travel to London to learn more about this historic home. You can do so through its official guide (available on Amazon).

The death of Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September 2022 marked a significant shift in the British royal family. Her son, Charles III, became King of the United Kingdom –meaning his eldest son, William, ascended to the position of the Prince of Wales. 

The former Duke of Cambridge and his wife, Catherine (formally the Duchess of Cambridge, now the Princess of Wales), recently made headlines following their move to Adelaide Cottage in Berkshire – near Windsor Castle – the famous royal residence that belonged to the late Her Majesty. However, despite moving to the country, William and Catherine are expected to keep their most recent residence, Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace.

Where is Kensington Palace?

Kensington Palace is located in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London, England. The estate is one of the grandest in the British capital and is one of the world's best homes – featuring 107 hectares of garden and a mansion with a rich royal history. 

What is Kensington Palace famous for?

The royal residence is best known as the official home of William and Catherine, the Prince and Princess of Wales. However, it has housed other notable royals since its completion by Sir George Coppin in 1605. Queen Victoria enjoyed the palace's regal decorating ideas at the start of her life (when she was Princess Alexandrina Victoria), and she was baptized in the Cupola Room (pictured above).

In recent history, Princess Margaret, the Countess of Snowdon (Queen Elizabeth II's sister), and her husband, the Earl of Snowdon, moved into Apartment 10 before undergoing a large renovation in the early 1960s.

The Prince of Wales (now King Charles III) and his wife, Diana, Princess of Wales, also lived in Kensington Palace during their marriage. It remained Diana's official residence following their divorce until her death in 1997. There is a statue of Princess  Diana in the palace gardens. 

Prince William and Harry spent their childhood in the palace, which remains the official home of the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

Is Kensington Palace open to public?

Yes, the State Rooms are open to the public, but there are some offices and accommodation areas that remain private for the family.

The palace exhibits a host of paintings and other objects from the Royal Collection that are displayed to visitors. 

Beyond the State Rooms, Princess Catherine commissioned designer Ben Pentreath to decorate their apartment in 2017. The London-based designer, admired for quintessential yet playful home decor ideas, had already worked with Charles on the Duchy of Cornwall estate and the Royal Pavilion in Poundbury in Dorchester. His clientele also includes actresses Sarah Jessica Parker and Liv Tyler. 

Who lives in Kensington Palace now?

The Prince and Princess of Wales will likely keep their apartment in Kensington Palace, despite moving to the Berkshire town of Windsor in southeast England.

You can visit Kensington Palace at Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX. 

King Charles III ascended to the throne on Thursday, September 8th, following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. As the world mourns Her Majesty, the new King has returned to London to carry out official duties – most recently in the Houses of Parliament – where he addressed British lawmakers for the first time as monarch. 

However, while King Charles is fulfilling jobs in the capital, his official residence sits 89 miles west of London, in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, South West England. 

Highgrove House, the family estate residence of Charles III and Camilla, the Queen's consort, is among the most famous royal residences, but the estate is more than a home. 

The property, which was built in the late 18th century, had various owners before the Duchy of Cornwall purchased the land in 1980. King Charles then renovated the estate into one of the world's best homes – before developing one of the most famous eco-friendly gardens in the country.

The King is admired for his dedication to sustainability, and Highgrove's gardens epitomize these beliefs. Its gardens, which attract more than 30,000 visitors a year, offer a lesson in sustainable garden ideas – featuring a host of rare heirloom seeds,  flowers, and trees that were designed to invite wildlife into the space. 

Above all, the wild gardens act as a sustainable habitat for wildlife, but they are also used to benefit the royal family, too. In a recent interview with H&G's sister magazine Country Life, the now Queen's consort, Camilla, shared how she and King enjoyed gardening's therapeutic qualities – whether that is through planting, weeding, or just being creative. 'It’s just one of the most relaxing things anyone can do. Go into the garden, get on with it,' she says. 

Inside Highgrove's four walls, the King often holds charity events, where guests are surrounded by interiors by London-based designer Robert Kime. 

Robert, who also decorated rooms at Clarence House (the royal residence on The Mall in London), was a fitting choice for the King's country retreat. His spaces often played with eclectic antiques, textiles, and ornate decorating ideas to create a comfortable space that paid homage to the homeowner, in this case, King Charles. 

Meanwhile, Highgrove's kitchen is likely to be influenced, and run, by the house's surroundings. We expect it will include including produce from the King's kitchen garden ideas while fueled by energy from the estate's solar panels, which is another sustainable feature installed by the royal couple. 

According to the Duchy of Cornwall, Highgrove offers an 'ethically and environmentally conscious approach' throughout the home and its gardens. The King uses energy-saving bulbs and solar lights (where appropriate), and all kitchen waste passes through a composting system that can be used to benefit the garden and the surrounding  Duchy Home Farm. 

You can visit Highgrove at Doughton, Tetbury GL8 8TN, England. 

The Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to move into the late Her Majesty The Queen's Windsor Castle home, taking on new roles with their change in status and seniority after the recent death of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

It was a bestowment we knew was coming: On the day of Queen Elizabeth’s passing, Prince William and Kate Middleton changed their social media bios from 'The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Cornwall' to 'The Prince and Princess of Wales', inferring that a transfer of titles from Charles to William had already begun to take place.

In a recent television address to the nation, King Charles III also confirmed that his son 'will undertake the responsibilities of the Duchy of Cornwall.' The Duchy of Cornwall is a working 150,000-acre estate in England complete with its own organic food company – and a multimillion-dollar income. The revenue from the Duchy pays for much of the private expenses of the royal family, including wardrobes and extra security.

Where is Windsor Castle?

Windsor Castle is a royal residence at Windsor in the English county of Berkshire. Unsurprisingly, Windsor Castle is one of the world's best homes and is surrounded by magnificent gardens and parklands, much of which can be accessed by the public.

What is the history of Windsor Castle?

Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. It was built in the 11th Century by William the Conqueror and took 16 years to complete. Since the reign of Henry I (1100–1135), it has been home to 40 monarchs, including our late HM Queen Elizabeth II, who counted it among one of her favorite royal residences.

Whilst the castle was originally meant to serve as a defensive structure, its prime location next to a hunting ground attracted King Henry I, who began using it as a residence, and it has been lived in by every monarch since then. 

By modern times the castle had become so inextricably linked with the royal family that when during the First World War George V decided to change the family name from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (acquired when Victoria married the German prince Albert) to something more British, the name he chose was Windsor.

Over its lengthy history, the Castle has undergone extensive renovations, including restoration work after a fire broke out in 1992, mostly paid for using the proceeds made by opening the castle and Buckingham Palace up to the public. The areas that were most badly damaged, such as St George’s Hall, were redesigned in a modern gothic style, while the other parts were restored to the condition in which George IV had left them.

Windsor Castle occupies 13 acres and hosts over a million visitors a year. It’s also the resting place of many deceased monarchs and royal family members, including Henry VIII, his third and favorite wife Jane Seymour, Princess Margaret, and the Queen Mother, who passed away in 2002.

Who lives in Windsor Castle now?

Today the castle is still used as a residence for the royal family, and it will be the future home of the Prince and Princess of Wales. HM Queen Elizabeth II spent many of her private weekends there – she is believed to have preferred it to Buckingham Palace – and chose to reside here officially over the Easter period. 

The castle is by all definitions a working palace, with even St George’s Chapel being used for daily services. Windsor also plays host to important guests, which can include political leaders as well as heads of Commonwealth nations

Will the Prince and Princess of Wales live in Windsor Castle?

It is believed that the Prince and Princess of Wales will delay moving into Windsor Castle in order to avoid more upheaval for their children after moving house just a week ago, according to royal sources.

The royal couple had hoped to bring a semblance of normality to their three children’s lives by living in the four-bedroomed Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor estate, and carrying out daily school runs to Lambrook School, an independent preparatory school.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are said to be highly aware their youngsters have experienced a house move, starting a new school, and the death of their ‘Gan-Gan’ in only a matter of a week.

The psychological benefits of gardening are undeniable. Whether you find a moment  of calm in planting or spend leisurely time unwinding on your patio or terrace. You may have guessed that you're not alone in finding solace in gardening therapy – but did you know you're in royal company? 

Speaking from Highgrove House, the royal residence owned by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, which is famed for its garden, parts of which the public can tour, Camilla labeled gardening as 'therapeutic' before sharing some of the green-thumbed jobs she enjoys in the grounds. 

In a documentary for H&G's sister magazine, Country Life, named Camilla's Country Life, the Duchess offered a glimpse into the process of guest-editing the brand's recent issue. A section of the show captured Camilla wandering Highgrove's extensive grounds – where she commented on her admiration for gardening and its impact on relaxing qualities. 

In the footage, Camilla revealed her husband, Charles, the Prince of Wales, is 'passionate' about gardening before sharing that she shares his sentiments. 

'I love gardening. It’s therapeutic,' Camilla says. 'You can go and garden, and you just become completely involved in what you’re doing and what you’re planting. [You can] do a bit of weeding and you can be very creative, it’s just one of the most relaxing things anyone can do. Go into the garden, get on with it.'

And Camilla's love of gardening is not limited to the grounds at Highgrove. Though she was filmed in its world famous gardens, much of the Country Life issue came from the gardens of Ray Mill House in Wiltshire, which she owned before moving in with Prince Charles. The gardens (seen above) hosted the backdrop of the issue's front cover (below) – photographed by Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. 

The Duchess of Cornwall's comments are unsurprising; a recent study* that revealed that 9 in 10 of us have continued our pandemic gardening habits – motivated not only by their impact on our wellbeing – but by our desire to protect the planet. 

But it's not all about aesthetics. As the Duchess hinted, working in the garden is what contributes to wellbeing. 

Promoting good soil health is one of the most popular jobs amongst respondents after many (46%) showed particular interest in soil's benefits. 

'All soils benefit from the addition of organic matter to improve biodiversity, drainage, and oxygen levels,' says garden expert Poppy Okotcha for *Weleda. 'Making your own compost is also a great way to save money, and it reduces waste. So get out into your garden and get your hands dirty – it’s good for you and the planet.'

Discover Highgrove garden tours to see more.