Today St. James’s Palace remains a busy working palace. The State Apartments are sometimes used for entertaining during in-coming State Visits, as well as for other ceremonial and formal occasions. They often host receptions for charities with which members of the Royal Family are involved.

The offices of the Royal Collection Department, the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps, the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood, the Chapel Royal, the Gentlemen at Arms, the Yeomen of the Guard and the Queen’s Watermen are all located at St. James’s Palace.

St. James’s Palace also retains an important ceremonial function. The Accession Council meets in St. James’s Palace following the death of a monarch, and later the accession of a new Sovereign is proclaimed by Garter King of Arms from the Proclamation Gallery overlooking Friary Court. 

St. James’s Palace contains the London residences of The Princess Royal and Princess Alexandra.

The St. James’s Detachment of The Queen’s Guard mounts daily guard in Friary Court. 
 
The Queen’s Chapel and Chapel Royal remain active places of worship.

Clarence House, the former London home of the late Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, is within the St. James’s Palace environs and provides a London home for The Prince of Wales and his two sons.

Lancaster House, another building in the Palace complex, is used for government hospitality.