As pandemic restrictions ease and the UK works on regaining a sense of normalcy, many have wondered when Queen Elizabeth would return to Buckingham Palace.
The 95-year-old monarch relocated from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle, just 20 miles outside of London, at the onset of the pandemic in March 2020. She has not left the castle much since then, with the exception of a handful of public appearances.
Now The Sunday Times is reporting the widespread belief that the Queen will not return to living at Buckingham Palace at all.
Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on reports that she's leaving her former home behind in favor of Windsor Castle, her former weekend home. Royal sources are stressing that Buckingham Palace is still a central and important location for the monarchy.
The reality seems to tell a different story, however. Her Royal Highness continues to carry out a variety of engagements and official duties at Windsor Castle. After working from home for two years, she seems more comfortable navigating her affairs from that home.
Buckingham Palace has been the official London residence of British sovereigns since 1837. It's also in the middle of a 10-year, £369 million ($485 million) renovation. The work would have required the Queen to move out of her apartments, but just temporarily. She would have been moved to a different space within the palace.
"The reservicing does not end until 2027. While ongoing, it is not really a place to stay long-term," one royal source told The Sunday Times.
Should the Queen not return, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall would then be the next to call the palace home. Some have joked in past years that even that may be a stretch, as Charles is known to be very fond of his home at Clarence House.
Some believe the reason why the Queen is choosing to stay at Windsor Castle is because her last memories with Prince Philip are there. The location also puts her closer to a number of family members, such as the Duke of York, who lives at Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate. The Earl and Countess of Wessex are also close by at Bagshot Park in Surrey.
Sources also have considered that the Windsor Castle layout may be more accessible for Queen Elizabeth than Buckingham Palace might be. The Queen is turning 96 on April 21 and has admitted to having some mobility issues, having recently been seen using a cane to get around.
