Which Palace Did Queen Elizabeth II Live In? Her Four Royal Homes, Ranked

Which palace did Queen Elizabeth II live in? The answer is not just one. Over the course of each year the Queen moved between several royal homes in England and Scotland, and each one served a different purpose. This guide counts down four of the best-known Queen Elizabeth II royal residences, from Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh to Buckingham Palace in London.

The short answer: Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the monarch, Windsor Castle became her main home in her later years, Balmoral Castle was her Scottish summer retreat, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official residence of the monarch in Scotland.

This is the written companion to our video on the same question. Watch it below, then read on for the details.

Number 4: The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh

The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official residence of the monarch in Scotland. Its story begins in 1128, when David I founded Holyrood as an Augustinian monastery, and the palace has now been home to royalty for more than 500 years.

Each summer the monarch spends a week in Edinburgh known as Holyrood Week, or Royal Week in Scotland. It usually runs from the end of June to the beginning of July and includes ceremonies and engagements that celebrate Scottish culture, history and achievement. Garden parties are a highlight, and each year around 8,000 guests are welcomed to the palace gardens.

The crowned clock tower of the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh behind tall thistles — The crowned clock tower of the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

Number 3: Balmoral Castle, Scotland

Balmoral Castle was the Queen’s summer home in Scotland. Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, bought the estate in 1852, and it has remained a royal summer retreat ever since. Unlike many royal properties, Balmoral is private property rather than part of the Crown Estate, so it belongs to the royal family personally.

It is also where Queen Elizabeth II spent the last days of her life. She had been staying at Balmoral since July 2022 for her annual summer holiday, and she died there on September 8, 2022.

Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands surrounded by autumn trees — Balmoral Castle, the royal family’s private summer home in Scotland.

Number 2: Windsor Castle, Berkshire

Windsor Castle is often described as the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, and monarchs have used it since the reign of Henry I in the early twelfth century. Queen Elizabeth II spent much of the final years of her reign there. She lived at Windsor with Prince Philip during the pandemic, and in her later years it was her main home.

The Round Tower of Windsor Castle rising above green trees under a blue sky — The Round Tower of Windsor Castle.

Number 1: Buckingham Palace, London

Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms. The main part of the building began as a townhouse called Buckingham House, built in 1703 for John Sheffield, the Duke of Buckingham. King George III bought it in 1761 as a family home for his wife, Queen Charlotte. It became the official London residence of the monarch in 1837, when Queen Victoria became the first sovereign to live there.

The palace is as much an office as a home. Each week the monarch holds an audience with the Prime Minister there, which is why Buckingham Palace sits at the center of royal public life.

How many homes did Queen Elizabeth have?

This countdown covers four of her best-known royal residences, and each had its own role: Holyroodhouse for official duties in Scotland, Balmoral for the summer, Windsor as a long-term home, and Buckingham Palace as the home and office of the monarch in London.

Where did Queen Elizabeth live most of the time?

In her later years the answer is Windsor Castle, which became her main home. Buckingham Palace remained the official London residence of the monarch.

Where did Queen Elizabeth live before she died?

Her last summer was spent at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. She had been staying there since July 2022 for her annual holiday, and she died there on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96.

Queen Elizabeth II’s royal residences at a glance

Home	Location	How it was used
Palace of Holyroodhouse	Edinburgh, Scotland	Official residence of the monarch in Scotland; Holyrood Week each summer
Balmoral Castle	Scotland	Private summer home; where she died in 2022
Windsor Castle	Berkshire, England	Her main home in her later years
Buckingham Palace	London, England	Official London residence of the monarch since 1837; 775 rooms

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