The royal family has many residences dotted around the UK – most famously Buckingham Palace.

The palace is known worldwide, with thousands of people visiting it yearly. It has served as the official residence of British monarchs for hundreds of years.

But there may be some residences you might not know the royal family own. Let’s take a look at all the grand palaces and castles which belong to them…

Royal residences – Buckingham Palace

The most famous and recognisable royal residence is Buckingham Palace – the administrative headquarters for the monarch.

The palace holds many official events and receptions, hosted by King Charles III. The state rooms at the palace are also open to visitors every summer.

Now for the shock factor. Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms including 19 state rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms. Woah.

The palace has been host to many big events over the years including Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee concert in 2002 and her Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.

And, as we know, the Buckingham Palace balcony is one of the most famous in the world and has provided a series of incredible pictures and moments of the monarchy.

Whether it’s been Prince Louis‘ cheeky face-pulling antics or the Prince and Princess of Wales‘ kiss on their wedding day in 2011, the balcony has provided us with many memorable moments over the years.

Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle is another royal residence which has provided us with many incredible moments over the decades.

It’s been a royal home for over 900 years. The castle is now used for Investitures – which sees recipients honoured with a medal by a senior member of the royal family.

The castle has also been used for receptions and state visits. It’s also open to the public all year round.

Inside Windsor Castle is St George’s Chapel, which has been the location for many royal weddings. Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh married at the chapel in 1999.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot there in 2018 and Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank married there later in 2018.

The chapel has also been a place to hold funerals, including those of Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip and Princess Margaret.

In the chapel, Queen Elizabeth II lies buried with her husband Prince Philip, her mother Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, her father King George VI and sister Princess Margaret.

Clarence House

Next up is Clarence House, which has been the home of many royals within the famous family.

It was Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s home from 1953 to 2002. It was also the home of the late Queen Elizabeth II, then Princess Elizabeth, and Prince Philip following their marriage in 1947.

The king and Queen Camilla used the principal rooms of the house for receptions and official entertaining when they were the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.

List of royal residences includes Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace has also been home – and still is! – to many royals over the years. Queen Victoria was born here and it was her childhood home.

Today though, the palace contains the offices and London residences of the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke and Duchess of Kent and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.

Prince William and wife Kate lived at Kensington Palace with their three children – Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six. However, in the summer of 2022, the family moved to Adelaide Cottage – which is in the grounds of Windsor Home Park.

Prince Harry and Meghan also lived at Kensington Palace, before they quit their senior roles in 2020 and moved to California.

Sandringham

Now, the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk is the place to be at Christmas if you’re a royal. At Christmas time, many members of the family travel to Sandringham to enjoy private time celebrating.

The late queen had the residence passed to her when her father, King George VI, died in 1952. Queen Elizabeth II spent around two months each winter on the estate.

She also broadcast her first televised Christmas message from there in 1957.

Following her death in 2022, Sandringham was passed to her son King Charles III.

Balmoral Castle

Another residence for the royal family is Balmoral Castle in Scotland. It used to be the summer residence for Queen Elizabeth II up until her death.

She died at the castle on September 8, 2022, aged 96.

The king now owns the castle following the death of his mother. Many members of the royal family have enjoyed the summer months at Balmoral, including the Prince and Princess of Wales and their kids.

The younger members of the family, including George, Charlotte, Louis and their cousins, have all enjoyed their summer breaks on the estate over the years.

St James’s Palace

St James’s Palace has been a residence of kings and queens of England for over 300 years. But today, it hosts up to 100 receptions each year for charities associated with the royals.

It’s also been the place for some christenings. Prince George was christened there in October 2013.

Prince Louis – the youngest child of William and Kate – was also christened at St James’s Palace in July 2018.

Royal residences – The Palace of Holyroodhouse

Finally, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland.

Today, the palace holds national celebrations and events in Scotland including Holyrood Week – or also known as Royals Week.

This is an event which happens in the summer each year. It sees the monarch spending time visiting various regions in Scotland, meeting members of the public. The monarch also hosts thousands at the palace in recognition of their work.

It’s open to the public all year round.