The Queen is now set to live permanently at Windsor Castle, having moved to her 'weekend residence' from Buckingham Palace since the start of the pandemic.
While Buckingham Palace will remain the central headquarters of the monarchy, the royal residence is currently midway through a 10-year £369 million renovation project, making it unpractical for the Queen to live there 'long term', reports claim.
It is understood that the Queen will continue to visit the Palace for occasional trips, but will carry out both virtual and in-person engagements from Windsor Castle — the last home she shared with Prince Philip before his death in April 2021.
The Queen originally planned to relocate to another part of the Palace while her private quarters were being redecorated, but these plans changed in March 2020 when nationwide lockdowns took place.
A royal source told The Sunday Times: 'The reservicing does not end until 2027. While ongoing, it is not really a place to stay long-term.'
Hugo Vickers, a royal author and deputy lord lieutenant of Berkshire, added: 'Windsor is the place she loves. She has her memories with Prince Philip there, she has her ponies there and family nearby. It makes sense.'
The Queen, who celebrated her Platinum Jubilee in February, has lived at Buckingham Palace for most of her 70-year reign. It is thought that Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall will be the next royals to live at the residence, although the Prince is said to prefer his London home, Clarence House.
Back in November 2016, Buckingham Palace first unveiled its plans to embark on a 10-year renovation project in order to keep the building fit for the future. Some of the repair works planned include a new lift installation, upgrading the palace's boilers, and checking aged electrical wiring to keep the Palace safe.
'The Reservicing programme is vital in order to mitigate the risk of fire and flood and will ensure that old wiring is brought in line with current health and safety standards,' a previous Instagram post from the Royal Family said. 'The refurbishment will also improve visitor access and make the Palace more energy efficient.'
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Emma Bridgewater launches new collection for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee 2022
Queen's Platinum Jubilee God Save The Queen 1/2 Pint Mug
Toast to Her Majesty's reign with Emma Bridgewater's 'God Save The Queen' mug. Whether you're having your morning coffee or an afternoon tea, it's the perfect one to add to your mug collection.
Perfect for biscuits or sweet treats, this shallow red tin makes a lovely commemorative gift to celebrate Her Majesty's 70 years on the throne.
Rainbow Toast Jubilee Tree Planting 1/2 Pint Mug
Celebrate the Queen's spectacular 70-year reign with this wonderful mug. For every mug sold, Emma Bridgewater will donate £5 to The Queen's Green Canopy (QGC) initiative.
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Get your picnic ready with this affordable gingham PVC tablecloth in red and white. Thanks to its wipe-clean fabric, you don't have to worry about any stains or spills.
Drying up just got stylish. With The Queen's Green Canopy initiative encouraging everyone to plant a tree, this green and white tea towel is a great way to spread the news. Best of all, Emma Bridgewater will donate £2 to the cause for every tea towel sold.
Store tea bags or ground coffee in this bright red Emma Bridgewater caddy. It is printed with the words '70 Glorious Years' and has crowns along the bottom.
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