Clarence House

Standing just beside St. James's Palace along The Mall, Clarence House has one of the more quietly remarkable histories of any building in London. It was built in 1827 by John Nash, the architect responsible for reshaping much of London's grand streetscape, including the sweeping curve of Regent Street. Nash designed it for Prince William Henry, the Duke of Clarence, a man known for his extravagant tastes and a lifestyle that frequently put him at odds with his father, King George III, who preferred rather more restrained behavior from his children. William would later become King William IV.

Over the decades, the house passed through the hands of several royals. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, the widow of King George VI and mother of Queen Elizabeth II, lived here from 1953 until her death in 2002 at the age of 101. Her long residency gave the house a reputation for warmth and effortless hospitality.

After her, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, moved in and remained until 2022. The house occasionally opens to visitors during summer, giving you a rare glimpse inside.

It seems that at Clarence House, royals tend to stay a very long time, which is perhaps the highest possible compliment to John Nash's work.