The King has three official residences: Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. These magnificent buildings are not only homes of the Royal Family but also where the King undertakes official work as Head of State. Today, the official residences are used for meetings, holding audiences with government ministers and ambassadors, hosting Garden Parties and State Visits and more.

The residences are also open to the public – millions of people visit the Palaces each year to see treasures from the Royal Collection, and to learn about the history of the buildings and how they are used today.

Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of the monarch since 1837, and today the State Rooms are used by The King to receive and entertain guests. Many national occasions have been marked by the Royal Family standing on the balcony at the front of the Palace. Windsor Castle is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world, and it has been a royal home and a fortress for over nine hundred years. The annual ceremony for the Order of the Garter, the oldest order of chivalry, takes place at St George’s Chapel in the grounds of the Castle each year. The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official residence of the monarch in Scotland. Founded more than 500 years ago, the Palace stands next to the ruins of Holyrood Abbey, which was once the site of coronations, parliaments and royal weddings.

Discover more about the official royal residences and the monarchs who have shaped their history. These resources will enable you to explore royal life through the ages by looking at objects, paintings, drawings, photographs and works of art from the Royal Collection.