With massive overhaul plans for Buckingham Palace under consideration, the King's association with the iconic residence seems to be growing weaker. With the three-quarters-of-a-billion-pound refurbishment due to be completed in 2027, those in his circle said he attaches little fondness to the palace.

The decision, therefore, to open Buckingham Palace and Balmoral Castle to the public is said to reflect pragmatism based on the need to ensure financial sustainability. Sources claim that this is part of a new look away from the traditional notion of residences being purely for royal occupancy and encouraged by royal experts.

One former BBC royal correspondent, Michael Cole, had even quipped that the King disliked these huge residences and would rather stay in one of them on a more intimate scale, like Birkhall. Charles is aiming to democratize royal spaces in unprecedented ways.

When the repairs are over, although the King may move to Buckingham Palace with a heavy heart, some speculations arise around his affinities. The current residence of Charles, Clarence House, suggests his inclination and poses a question of whether he might be a little indifferent to the grandiosity of Buckingham Palace.

The unfolding of public tours and afternoon teas at royal estates is a reflection of how these plans depict the changing monarch as a more accessible institution. From conventional expectations, the King moves into practicality and public engagements in his changing attitude towards the royals and royal living.