Royal Palaces – Clarence House
The London Home of the Prince of Wales and His Family
© Kim Rush
Oct 15, 2009
Clarence House is located in London, next to St. James’s Palace. It was built in 1827 for the Duke of Clarence, the third son of King George III, and his wife Adelaide. The house was designed by John Nash, the favorite architect of King George IV. It incorporated the south-western corner of St. James’s Palace. In 1830, the Duke of Clarence became King William IV. He chose to live at Clarence House and stayed there until his death in 1837. After his death, William’s unmarried sister, Princess Augusta, lived at Clarence House until her death in 1840. The next year, Queen Victoria’s mother, the Duchess of Kent, moved into Clarence house. She lived there until her death in 1861. During this time, the Queen and her children would visit the Duchess.
After the Duchess’s death, the house remained vacant until 1866, when Queen Victoria’s second son, Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh moved in. In 1874 the Duke married Grand Duchess Marie Alexandrovna. The couple began enlarging Clarence House. The house was reoriented toward the south and a Russian Orthodox chapel was added to the first floor. In 1893, Alfred inherited the Dukedom of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha from his uncle and his family moved to Germany. The Duke did, however, keep Clarence House as his London home until his death in 1900.
After Alfred’s death, his younger brother, Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn lived at the house with his wife until 1942. From this point, the house ceased to be a royal residence. The War Organization of the British Red Cross and Order of St. John of Jerusalem used Clarence House during World War II.
In 1949, Clarence House became a royal residence again when Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen Elizabeth II, and Prince Philip moved in following their marriage. At this time, they were known as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. Their second child, Princess Anne, was born at Clarence House in 1950. In 1952 the duchess ascended the throne and moved to Buckingham Palace.
Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, and Princess Margaret moved into Clarence House in 1953. The Queen Mother carried out official duties from the house. Foreign Heads of State called at Clarence House for tea the afternoon of the first day of a State Visit. In addition, members of the Royal Family gathered on August 4 each year to celebrate the Queen Mother’s birthday.
Following the Queen Mother’s death in 2002, Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, made Clarence House his official London residence. Today the house is also the official London residence of the Duchess of Cornwall and Princes William and Harry. Clarence House is generally open to the public during the summer months.
Source:
The Official Website of the British Monarchy. “Royal Residences: Clarence House” (accessed October 15, 2009)
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