Prince Charles surprised 'everybody' when he made this significant purchase against royal tradition

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales seen during his meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi at Clarence House on October 22, 2020 in London — (Image credit: Photo by Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Prince Charles reportedly broke with royal tradition when he purchased his Gloucestershire country home, Highgrove House, in the 1980s.

Royal expert claims it was a "surprise to everybody" when Prince Charles bought Highgrove House.
It's been suggested that the Royal Family don't traditionally buy homes, but inherit them.
In other royal news, Princess Anne makes ‘devastating’ admission during a rare podcast appearance.

Prince Charles is famous for his love of the countryside, publicly speaking out on environmental and naturalist concerns.

The Prince of Wales has also previously been vocal about how close conservation is to his heart and his fears for the future world his grandchildren will be growing up in.

In December 2020, it was also announced that Prince Charles has given up the lease on his beloved Home Farm ahead of becoming king in the future. He reportedly farmed there near his country home, Highgrove House, in Gloucestershire for 35 years.

Stunning country home, Highgrove House, is where it’s believed Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla spent Christmas. However, sources have now claimed that the way the Prince of Wales acquired Highgrove House many years ago broke with a major royal tradition.

What royal tradition did Prince Charles break when he purchased Highgrove House?

It’s thought that Prince Charles first purchased Highgrove House in the 1980s. On the Channel 5 documentary, Secrets of the Royal Palaces, it was explained how this was perhaps unusual for the Royal Family, as they traditionally inherit homes, rather than buying them.

Royal expert Julie Montagu claimed, "When Prince Charles bought Highgrove in the 1980s, I think it was a surprise to everybody."

Royal commentator Susie Boniface went on to add that, "The Royal Family do not purchase homes. They inherit them."

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Whilst the documentary’s narrator, Glynis Barber, explained, "When Highgrove came on the market, Charles snapped it up for £865,000."

And when it came to the reason for Prince Charles’ purchase, Ms. Montagu seemed to suggest that Highgrove House just had everything that he was looking for in a property.

Ms. Montagu said, "For Charles, it ticked all the boxes as far as architecture, perfect location and not enormous - nine bedrooms, kind of manageable."

A general view of the gardens at Highgrove House on June 5, 2013 in Tetbury, England

It’s certainly believed that Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla enjoy the time they spend at the Gloucestershire property. They also have a London residence, Clarence House, and Birkhall in Scotland.

It was at Birkhall that their official 2020 Christmas photograph was taken and where the couple are understood to have self-isolated during part of last year.

We can’t wait to see them reunited with their children and grandchildren in the future!

Emma is a Royal Editor with nine years of experience in publishing. She specialises in writing about the British Royal Family, covering everything from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her extensive royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the latest royal outing or unmissable show to add to your to-watch list, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!