When Did Royalty Stop Living in the Tower of London?

The Tower of London ceased being a primary royal residence in the 16th century, specifically under Henry VIII (r. 1509–1547).

The Shift

• Medieval period: Monarchs routinely stayed at the Tower—especially before coronations (tradition: night in the Tower before Westminster Abbey procession). The royal apartments in the Inner Ward (near the White Tower) were maintained and upgraded.
• Henry VIII: After 1515, he favored the new Palace of Whitehall (expanded from York Place / Wolsey's house) as his principal London residence. The Tower became secondary—used for state prisoners, the mint, armory, and royal ceremonies.
• Elizabeth I: Stayed briefly before her 1559 coronation—the last monarch to overnight before a coronation.
• James I (1603): Stayed one night before coronation—last monarch to sleep in the Tower at all.
• Charles II (1660): Last monarch to stay the night before coronation (but at Whitehall, not Tower).

Post-Royal Functions

• Prison: High-status captives (Anne Boleyn, Thomas More, Walter Raleigh, Rudolf Hess).
• Mint: Royal Mint operated 1279–1810.
• Armory/Arsenal: Still stores Crown Jewels and ceremonial regalia.
• Menagerie: Royal beasts (lions, polar bear) kept 1200s–1835.
• Tourist attraction: Since 17th century (Beefeater tours); 2.8M visitors/yr today.

The Tower transformed from a royal home into a symbol of state power—prison, treasury, arsenal, and now the Crown Jewels' showcase.