This Sumptuous 18th-Century London Home Once Belonged to King William IV

Now’s your chance to live like British royalty, at least for a couple of years.

King William IV’s (1765-1837) former mansion in London’s aristocratic Mayfair district has come available as a high-end lease at £25,000 per week, or £1.3 million ($1.72 million) per year. More specifically, the blue plaque residence where the monarch lived as the Duke of Clarence is available for a two- to three-year tenancy, which comes to £3.9 million ($5.14 million) for a three-year let. A double-height atrium, six bedrooms, and a garden terrace with glass panels underfoot are key features of the abode spanning a bit more than 9,300 square feet. 

Built in 1753 by the noted builders William Timbrell and John Phillips, the Georgian townhouse at 22 Charles Street has been extensively modernized, seamlessly blending opulent period features with contemporary luxuries. However, what truly sets this residence apart in the English capital’s exclusive rental market is its unique connection to British royalty, offering a living experience steeped in historic legacy.

Prince William and his wife, Princess Adelaide, initially lived at Bushy House in outer London’s Teddington from 1797, but the death of King George III in 1820 made William the brother of the new King George IV, as well as a potential heir to the throne. With his enhanced status, the Charles Street residence was acquired and remodeled as a royal residence fit for the brother of the king. It was, however, only occupied for a short period between 1825 and 1827, as construction was underway on Clarence House, a larger royal residence adjacent to St. James’s Palace that William had commissioned from the architect John Nash. 

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A blue plaque outside the Charles Street address only credits 1826 as the year Prince William took up residence there, but he lived there throughout Clarence House’s two-year development. In fact, he was able to oversee its construction from the home. 

The townhouse once visited by a young Princess Victoria (later Queen Victoria) and her mother, the Duchess of Kent and Strathearn, still remains as enchanting as ever. A cast-iron balcony installed on the first floor is one of its early enhancements, alongside marble fireplaces and ornate ceiling moldings. Other highlights include a wood-paneled library with a radial skylight, two interconnecting drawing rooms, and a primary suite that covers an entire floor with a marble-finished bathroom. There’s also a wine cellar and two rooftop terraces, plus an attached mews house with a one-bed/one-bath duplex apartment with a kitchen for staff or guests, plus three-car garage access.

Contact Wetherell lettings agent Matthew Huybrechts for more information.

Click here for more photos of the Blue Plaque residence.