It was built in 1825–1827, adjacent to St James's Palace, for the royal Duke of Clarence, the future King William IV.

Over the years, it has undergone much extensive remodelling and reconstruction, most notably after being heavily damaged in the Second World War by enemy bombing during The Blitz.

He moved there in preference to the adjoining St James's Palace, an antiquated Tudor building which he found too cramped.

Following the death of the Duke of Connaught in 1942, it was used by the Red Cross and the St John Ambulance Brigade as their headquarters during the rest of World War II.

Princess Margaret later moved into an apartment in Kensington Palace following her marriage in 1960,[7][10] whilst the Queen Mother remained in residence at Clarence House until her death in March 2002.

[11] Currently, Clarence House is the London residence of King Charles III and his wife, Queen Camilla.