The Queen spent the majority of her time living in private quarters in Buckingham Palace, located in central London. The palace is made up of 775 rooms and is currently being refurbished, bit by bit. The Queen also spent weekends and Easter at Windsor Castle, which is located in Berkshire.

No member of the British Royal Family is legally required to live in Buckingham Palace. While it is the official London residence and administrative headquarters of the monarch, the choice of where to reside is personal and functional. Historically, Queen Victoria was the first to make it a primary home in 1837, but her successors have often preferred other estates. For instance, Queen Elizabeth II spent her final years predominantly at Windsor Castle, especially after the 2020 pandemic, finding it more comfortable. In 2026, with King Charles III on the throne, the palace is undergoing a massive ten-year "reservicing" project worth £369 million, which makes it less suitable for long-term living until at least 2027. The King and Queen Camilla currently maintain their primary London residence at Clarence House. Even when the renovations are complete, the monarch may choose to use the palace primarily for state banquets and official business while living elsewhere, as the Crown owns several "Grace and Favour" homes and private estates like Sandringham and Balmoral for the family to use at their discretion.