Will.i.am asked Britain's Prince Charles if he could share his "crib" while in the UK.

The Black Eyed Peas star is on the hunt for a base in London, after spending time there while judging the UK version of TV show The Voice.

He was amazed when he set eyes on Clarence House, the prince's official royal home. Will.i.am reasoned if was worth quizzing Charles on whether he uses every room in the property.

"I told Prince Charles I was looking for an apartment here and said, This is a big old crib you've got here. It's a big old house. So could I get a little space?'" the musician told British newspaper The Sun.

Will.i.am has previously said he enjoyed being in London for a lengthy period and is eager to spend more time in the UK capital.

The rapper recently revealed he donated 500,000 to Charles' charity The Prince's Trust, which helps young people. Will.i.am hopes it will be used to help people from deprived areas pursue technological careers, explaining he hopes to find the next Mark Zuckerberg the man who founded social networking website Facebook.

"I grew up in east Los Angeles, one of the most under-served and tough neighbourhoods in America," he said at the time.

"So I am pleased to be collaborating with an organisation that shares my mission to transform the lives of young people who need extra support and structure in their lives."