LONDON - Has Buckingham Palace lost its magic?
While $487 million is being spent to refurbish the 775-room landmark, visits to the palace fell last year, according to a new report released by the Royal Collection Trust, a charity that manage King Charles III's sprawling portfolio of residences.
The trust’s net income fell by more than $13 million as visitor numbers to other royal attractions and retail sales also declined, the financial report said.
A total of 590,000 people visited Buckingham Palace last year, compared to 683,000 the year before. Across the board, visitor numbers at royal attractions fell by 182,000 to 2.6 million, representing a 6 percent decline.
The annual review noted that visitors dropped to Windsor Castle and the Royal Mews,
a working stables that houses the coaches and carriages used by the royal family.
In June, it was revealed that Charles and Queen Camilla would not make the world's most famous palace their permanent residence once the works to improve it are over. Instead, the couple will remain living at nearby Clarence House. The palace will continue to serve as the monarchy's administrative headquarters.
The Royal Trust said that it had "anticipated" a reduction of visitor numbers in London and attributed several factors to the drop in visitor numbers across its attractions, including a softening of the post-pandemic boom and the current economic climate.
Buckingham Palace, it said, capped visitor numbers to "accommodate works" being carried out as part of the landmark's 10-year makeover. Though the report noted that "the impact of these works on the visitorexperience was mitigated by the opening of alternative rooms not usually seen by the public."
It also noted that the record-breaking visitor numbers seen in 2024 for the summer opening of Buckingham Palace would have been hard to replicate. The opening offered public guided tours of the Palace's East Wing for the first time in its 175-year history, driving record attendance levels.
It also said major events like the 2023 Coronation of King Charles had boosted public interest and spending, but interest appears to now be waning.
The annual report noted that at Windsor Castle, the "subdued travel and tourism sector and a reduction in the post-Coronation visitor surge, saw a slight decrease in visitor figures from the previous year."
Hello, Holyroodhouse
Despite falling visitors to Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace, Edinburgh's Holyroodhouse is having a moment.
The palace, which has served as a royal home for centuries, is the King's official Scottish residence.
According to the report, visitor numbers increased as a result of "additional operating days and an expanded programme of group tours." The palace is open to visitors year-round, according to its official website.
The Scottish palace welcomed 469,000 people in 2025-2026, an increase on the 440,000 visitors the year before.
King Charles arrived at Holyroodhouse by helicopter earlier this month to mark Royal Week, also known as Holyrood Week. The annual event is held in celebration of Scottish culture, community and achievements.
The week began with the king being presented with the keys to the city, in an ancient tradition known as the Ceremony of the Keys. For the event, the palace's forecourt is transformed into a colorful parade ground.
Can influencers drive royal ticket sales?
With visitor numbers down at royal attractions, the trust is turning to a somewhat surprising revenue-driving tactic: the use of social media influencers.
"Adverts featuring content creators were trialled across social media platforms resulting in an encouraging increase in visitors to the exhibition from a younger demographic," the report said.
Britian's Daily Telegraph newspaper reported that influencers were paid to promote a wide-ranging exhibit on the Edwardians at the King’s Gallery. The report noted that social media influencers are also believed to be carrying out unpaid promotion in a bid to boost interest and sales among a new audience.
The Natural History Museum was the United Kingdom's most-visited attraction last year, welcoming more than 7.1 million visitors.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Buckingham Palace losing its sparkle with no king in residence and fewer visitors?
