According to the late society columnist Kenneth Rose, King Charles reportedly had his heart set on living at Marlborough House on the Mall. Still, he couldn’t, as the house already had occupants at the late Queen Elizabeth II’s wishes.
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Marlborough House
Marlborough House was built between 1709 and 1711 for the Duchess of Marlborough and her husband. Sarah Churchill was Queen Anne’s key advisor.
Sir Christopher Wren was commissioned to design the house, but it was, in fact, his son who drew up the plans. According to Hidden London, the Duchess supervised the completion of the house herself after firing Mr Wren following a disagreement. Per the publication, the Duchess was notorious for falling out with people.
Congratulations HE @aichasanni & colleagues @Gabon_UK as their country has become the 55th member of the Commonwealth. The flag of Gabon was raised today at Marlborough House for the first time since the decision was made on 25 June 2022 @CHOGM2022@PresidentABO@GouvGabonpic.twitter.com/2SppG2lwol
— DIPLOMAT Magazine (@LondnDIPLOMAT) October 17, 2022
In 1817, the house reverted to the Crown and has since been occupied by numerous Royal residents, such as Prince Edward (King Edward VII) and Queen Mary, who died there in 1953.
The house’s current occupants
In 1959, Queen Elizabeth II reportedly gave the house to the British Government on the understanding that the former Palace would be dedicated for Commonwealth purposes. Indeed, Express reports that it is nowadays the Commonwealth Headquarters housing the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commonwealth Foundation.
Over the years, it has hosted many Commonwealth conferences, including the Commonwealth Heads of Government meetings and independence negotiations. According to a Commonwealth guide that can be downloaded on the Commonwealth’s official website, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta and The Gambia, all secured their dates for independence at the house.
An heir less than pleased
According to society columnist Kenneth Rose’s diaries, Who Wins, Who Loses, published posthumously in 2019, the then-Prince Charles expressed a desire to live at Marlborough House.
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Rose met the then-Prince of Wales in the summer of 1985 as a fellow guest of John King, chairman of British Airways.
Per the author, the future King supposedly said:
I grit my teeth with rage whenever I go to some Commonwealth event there. But what can one do? Once the people get inside a building, it is impossible to throw them out.
Sources used:
- Express: King Charles was desperate to live in one London home - but was refused by the late Queen
- Hidden London: King Charles was desperate to live in one London home - but was refused by the late Queen
- The Commonwealth: The Commonwealth Headquarters in Marlborough House
- Daily Mail: The Queen's secret Sandringham service laying Diana's ghost to rest, Charles' slur at 'unscrupulous' French and Prince Philip's cruel jibe at Fergie over her affair: Society writer KENNETH ROSE reveals his scandalous private diaries
- Tatler: The Diary of a Diarist: Kenneth Rose tells us ‘Who Loses, Who Wins’ in the second volume of his gossip-filled journal
