Reports say the royal family is the biggest landowner in Britain, but do you know where they choose to live? From the Queen to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, let's see the stunning regal homes of British royals.
1. The Queen - Sandringham House
The 19,000-acre property in Norfolk, England is a completely private residence of the Queen. It boasts 52 bedrooms for the royal family and their guests plus 188 staff bedrooms. The Queen inherited the estate from her father, King George VI, in 1952. She traditionally celebrates Christmas and New Year here.
2. Prince Harry - Frogmore Cottage
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, moved into Frogmore Cottage early 2019 before the birth of their first child, Archie. The cottage originally consisted of five separate units that were used to house Windsor estate workers. It reportedly cost about $3.8 million to turn the property into a single-family home for the couple.
3. Prince William - Kensington Palace
Located in London, the 547-room palace is divided into apartments and offices. It was formerly the residence of Queen Victoria, Princess Diana as well as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. It’s now best known as the home of Prince William and Kate Middleton. The couple has been living in the 20-room Apartment 1A since the middle of 2017.
4. Prince Charles - Highgrove House
Originally used as a weekend home for Prince Charles and Princess Diana after their marriage, Highgrove House is currently the private residence of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. The property is most famous for its beautiful gardens, which welcome more than 30,000 visitors a year.
5. Prince Edward - Bagshot Park
This 51-acre castle was once the royal family's favorite place to hunt. Today, it's home to Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex. Surrounded by lush greenery, the estate features a mansion house, stables, and several lodges. Take just one look and you’ll fall in love with it.
6. Prince Andrew - The Royal Lodge
The Royal Lodge was a longtime country retreat for late King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. After extensive renovations, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, leased this 30-room home from Crown Estate in 2004.
7. Princess Anne’s Daughter - Gatcombe Park
Queen Elizabeth purchased this gorgeous estate in 1976 for Princess Anne and her then-husband, Captain Mark Phillips. Anne's daughter, Zara Tindall, and her husband, Mike Tindall, now live here together with their two daughters.
8. Princess Alexandra - Thatched House Lodge
Princess Alexandra, the Queen’s cousin, has been living in the Thatched House since 1962. The property is located in southwest London, and features a main house, a summer house, a gardener’s cottage, stables, and several other buildings.
9. The Queen - Buckingham Palace
Of course, no royal property is more iconic than Buckingham Palace. It's the Queen's official London residence. Inside there are 19 state rooms, where members of the royal family usually entertain their guests on ceremonial and official occasions. In the summer months, visitors are allowed inside for a glimpse of the state rooms. There are also 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms. The palace is quite literally fit for a queen!
10. Prince William - Anmer Hall
This amazing country house in Norfolk, England was a wedding gift from the Queen to Prince William and Kate Middleton. The couple lived here before they moved to Kensington Palace in London in 2017. It features 10 bedrooms, a swimming pool, and a tennis court.
11. St. James's Palace
This brick building had been home to the Kings and Queens of England for more than 300 years until the end of Queen Victoria’s reign. Aside from being the place where Prince William and Kate Middleton announced their engagement to the world in 2010, it's also where Prince George was christened in 2013. When the palace is not used for special occasions, it hosts charity receptions.
12. The Queen - Windsor Castle
Does Windsor Castle look familiar to you? Well, that’s probably because it was in St. George's Chapel that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle exchanged their vows in 2018. Apart from hosting royal weddings, the castle is also the Queen's weekend getaway home.
13. The Queen - Balmoral Castle
Doesn’t Balmoral Castle look like it is plucked straight out of a fairy tale movie? It serves as the royal family’s private vacation home in Scotland and sits on 50,000 acres of land with 150 buildings. Look at how stunning it is! No wonder the castle is said to be the Queen’s favorite spot.
14. Prince Charles - Llwynywermod
Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles bought this 215-acre Wales mansion shortly after they married. The couple prioritized sustainably in this house, adding energy-efficient appliances and low-energy lighting. They even insulated the place with natural sheep's wool.
15. Queen Charlotte - Frogmore House
Best known as the place that staged Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s evening wedding reception, Frogmore House has been a Crown-owned estate since 1792. It was originally used as a country retreat for Queen Charlotte and her unmarried daughters. These days, the royal family often hosts both private and office events there.
16. Prince Charles - Clarence House
Close to St. James's Palace, Clarence House is the official London residence of Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla Parker Bowles. It was also home to Prince William and Prince Harry before the brothers moved into their new residences at Kensington Palace. Five rooms on the ground floor are accessible to visitors in the summer.
17. For VIP Guests - Craigowan Lodge
Craigowan Lodge is a 7-room stone castle about one mile from the main house on the Balmoral estate. It was used by Prince Charles and Princess Diana during summers. Currently, it serves as a home for VIP guests.
18. The Queen - Hillsborough Castle
Built back in the 1770s, Hillsborough Castle is surrounded by 100 acres of lush green gardens. While it is the official Northern Ireland residence of the Queen, select sections are open to the public in April, May, June, and September.
19. The Queen - The Palace of Holyroodhouse
Built as a monastery in 1128, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is now the Queen's official residence in Scotland. The Queen usually comes here during Holyrood Week, a week at the beginning of each summer that involves many festive and cultural events. Today, the property is open to the public all year round, and the most popular places include the Holyrood Abbey, the State Apartments, and the Palace Gardens.
20. Prince Charles - Birkhall
The former home of the Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth, is now the home of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles. The couple reportedly stay at this home whenever they visit Balmoral.
