LONDON – As Buckingham Palace undergoes its massive $499 million renovation, scheduled for completion in 2027, Queen Camilla is reportedly lobbying King Charles III to incorporate a new library into the royal residence. This push, however, has reportedly become a source of “friction” between the monarch and his consort.
According to a royal insider speaking to Radaronline.com, the Queen’s insistent pressure is “irritating him beyond belief.”
The Queen, known for her deep passion for reading and her dedication to promoting literacy, has requested that Charles include a library in the palace, a residence that, despite its 775 rooms, currently lacks such a dedicated space. Historically, King George IV gifted the renowned King’s Library to the British Museum in the early 19th century.
“Books and reading have always been central to Camilla’s life, and she thinks it’s ridiculous that the monarch’s residence doesn’t include a library,” the source told the outlet. They added, “She’s made it clear to Charles that this is her single, most important request.”
For the King, the demand comes at a challenging time. “He finds it frustrating. The size and expense of the renovation are already weighing heavily on him, and her demand for an additional room drives him to distraction,” a royal source noted.
A second source highlighted the complexity of the dynamic, stating, “Charles admires her dedication to promoting literacy, but he resents having palace plans challenged. He feels she’s going against her own principle of staying out of structural decisions.”
The issue, therefore, is rooted in differing priorities. “It’s turned into a source of friction between them,” the source concluded. “For Charles, the issue is one of tradition and practicality; for Camilla, it’s about creating a cultural legacy.”
