St James’s Palace It is the official residence of the sovereign and the most senior royal pa­lace in the United Kingdom. It is located in the City of Westminster. Henry VIII built it in 1532. He didn’t really need another palace, but he was a great col­lector of grand houses - he had about sixty of them. After Whitehall Palace burned down, St James’s became the official royal residence. William IV was the last king to live there, but members of the royal family have houses and apartments within the palace today. The State Rooms at St James’s are still used for royal ceremonies. Today the palace houses a number of official offices, societies and collections.