As published on Blog do Amaury Jr./Splash UOL

The British press seems to be running out of ways to criticize Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, so lately it has turned its attention elsewhere: to the “missing in action” Prince William and Kate Middleton. Over the past few years, the couple has shuffled through residences — Kensington Palace, Anmer Hall, Adelaide Cottage — and is now preparing for yet another move, this time to Forest Lodge in Windsor. Rumor has it that this will be their permanent home, even once William ascends the throne. Why? Because they don’t want to live at Buckingham Palace. And they’re far from alone.

For all its grandeur, Buckingham has never been beloved by its residents. Queen Elizabeth II fulfilled her duty and lived there for decades, but she always preferred Windsor or Balmoral. Charles III has been blunter, calling it a “big, cold building,” and the younger generation sees it more as an office than a home. What Buckingham does have going for it is location: right in the heart of Westminster, within walking distance of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, and surrounded by 42 acres of walled gardens — a rare oasis of privacy in the middle of London.

The palace’s origins go back to 1703, when John Sheffield, 1st Duke of Buckingham and Normanby, built a grand townhouse on what was then the outskirts of the city. (Not to be confused with George Villiers, the infamous Duke of Buckingham and lover of King James I.) In 1761, King George III bought the house as a gift for his wife, Queen Charlotte. For decades, it was known as The Queen’s House — and, with some artistic license, even appeared in the Netflix series Queen Charlotte.

Before Buckingham, the monarchy had other centers of power: the vast Palace of Whitehall, destroyed by fire in 1698; St. James’s Palace, which technically still serves as the official court; and Windsor or Kew, which George III preferred for its tranquility. It was only in 1837, with Queen Victoria’s accession, that Buckingham officially became the monarch’s London residence.

But comfort was never its strong suit. The palace holds more than 770 rooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms, arranged in sprawling corridors that feel more like a maze than a home. And behind the gilded façade, the place suffers from surprisingly ordinary problems: persistent rat infestations (as shown in the other Netflix series, The Crown), outdated wiring and plumbing, and constant leaks.

Since 2017, Buckingham has been undergoing the largest renovation in its recent history, with a budget of £369 million. The goal is to replace the entire electrical system, plumbing, and heating, some of which dates back to World War II. The work is scheduled for completion in 2027, after which the palace is expected to reopen fully modernized but with its historic splendor intact. In the meantime, many wings remain closed, and Charles divides his time between other royal residences.

Still, Buckingham remains unmatched as a symbol. From its gates, the world has been told of monarchs’ deaths, royal births, and historic weddings. The famous balcony has been the stage for iconic appearances, from the end of World War II to the wedding day of William and Kate.

And yet the question lingers: if monarchs don’t actually enjoy living there, why cling to it? The truth is, Buckingham Palace no longer belongs to the royal family alone — it belongs to the collective imagination. It is less a home than a stage, less a sanctuary than a showcase. And like any great stage, it doesn’t need to be loved by its actors. It simply demands that they step onto the balcony when the curtain rises.