The Sovereign Court Elsewhere
After 1517 Egypt belonged to the Ottoman Empire, but the sultan's principal court remained in Constantinople/Istanbul. Cairo therefore retained architecture of government without becoming the habitual residence of the sovereign.
Delegated Power
The Citadel continued to house governors, military institutions and political authority. Royal Palaces classifies this as delegated imperial government rather than resident sovereign court.
Toward Muhammad Ali
The rise of Muhammad Ali after 1805 reintroduced a ruling family based in Egypt and began a new period of palace construction.