Let’s clear up a major misconception: Prince William and Kate Middleton do not live at Buckingham Palace. They live at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, a more relaxed, low-key home close to their children’s school. The same goes for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who are firmly based in California.
Where Does the Royal Family Live? - British Royal Family Official
The only other senior royals with a semi-permanent presence at the palace are the Princess Royal (Princess Anne) and Prince Edward, who have apartments reserved for their use when official duties require a city base. However, most of the young working royals prefer their own homes, finding the palace too ceremonial for daily family life.
The Ghosts and the Gardeners
No article about palace life is complete without a nod to its mythical residents. Legend says the palace is haunted by the ghost of King George III, who is sometimes spotted in his old library. More tangibly, you’ll find the Queen’s swans—technically owned by the Crown—and a flock of noisy parakeets that escaped from a film set decades ago.
Cultural reference alert: Remember the scene in The Crown where the staff eat leftover state banquet food? It’s true. Leftover sandwiches from garden parties are often sent to local charities. Fun fact: The palace’s garden is a living museum, home to over 350 species of wildflowers and 1,000 trees, including a mulberry tree planted by James I.
