King Charles turns down the thermostat in Buckingham Palace’s swimming pool to reduce energy consumption
King Charles turns down the thermostat at Buckingham Palace’s swimming pool in an effort to reduce the Royal Household’s energy consumption
King Charles has lowered the thermostat in Buckingham Palace’s swimming pool to help reduce the royal household’s energy consumption.
A source said: ‘A few people using the pool have noticed that the temperature has dropped. They’ve been told the king has turned down the heating.’
Last year the energy bill for the royal palaces, paid by the taxpayer through the state grant, was £3.2 million.
It is known that the king, a lifelong environmentalist, is keen to achieve net zero emissions in the royal household before the government’s target date of 2050.
He has already installed solar panels on the roof of his London home, Clarence House, and at Highgrove, his Gloucestershire country home.
It is known that the king, a lifelong environmentalist, is keen to achieve net zero emissions in the royal household before the government’s target date of 2050
A source who knows the king well told it Sunday Times that Charles probably thinks that the swimming pool, which senior members of the royal household are allowed to use, is ‘environmentally unhealthy because the water contains chemicals and needs to be heated’.
“It doesn’t suit his exercise regimen or his worldview.”
The swimming pool at Buckingham Palace was built in 1938 by George VI for Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret.
The king learned to swim there, as did his siblings. Diana, Princess of Wales also used the pool regularly, and Princes William and Harry are said to have learned to swim there.
Senior members of the royal family are allowed to use the pool, but must check in advance if a member of the royal family takes a dip to avoid a collision.