How Many People Actually Live In Buckingham Palace?
Buckingham Palace has been the official London residence of the British monarchy since 1837, and it serves as the business headquarters of the British royal family. In 2021, the palace is the main administrative office for "The Firm," but how big is it and who lives there?
According to the British Royal family's official website, Buckingham Palace contains "775 rooms. These include 19 State rooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms." According to Woman and Home, the palace sits on 42 acres, and it is the largest private garden in London. Woman and Home reported that more than 800 people work at the palace, including the royal's "staff, caretakers, gardeners, chefs, and more."
According to the royal website, the palace is working office at the "centerpiece of the UK's constitutional monarchy." The palace is also used as a venue for royal events such as entertaining visiting leaders and other important royal ceremonies. Keep reading to find out who lives in Buckingham Palace.
Not many actual royals live in Buckingham Palace
Not many members of the royal family live in Buckingham Palace. According to British Heritage, the queen spends time at the palace when she's working and lives in private quarters in Buckingham Palace. When she is not at the London palace, Queen Elizabeth II spends weekends at Windsor Castle and spends summers at Balmoral Castle.
According to Woman and Home, Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, have private apartments at Buckingham Palace. The queen's youngest son and daughter-in-law stay at their apartment when they are in London. The couple's main residence is a 120-room home, Bagshot Park, located in Surrey.
Page Six reported that the Countess of Wessex, who is known as one of the queen's favorites, has been a "rock" for the beloved monarch after Prince Philip's death. Woman and Home report that the only other member of the royal family with private apartments is Prince Andrew. The Duke of York uses his Buckingham Palace apartment when he has business in London. According to the outlet, Queen Elizabeth's daughter, Princess Anne, does not have private apartments at the palace, but she has offices and staff at Buckingham Palace.
So how many people really live there? Well, staff sometimes stay there for a spell — there are 188 rooms for them after all — but Express reports that the only true permanent resident is the queen herself.