Story perspectives

Prince William Ends Royal Rent-Free Homes Amid Audit

6/8/2026

Summary

Story summary

Prince William disclosed his £307,200-a-year Forest Lodge lease, bans subletting, and said he will end rent-free homes for royals.
The National Audit Office found Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie live rent-free at St James’s and Kensington Palaces.
An Ipsos poll showing 73 % of Britons want Prince Andrew removed from the succession line prompted a Commons accounts committee review of NAO findings after he sublet three Royal Lodge cottages and earned income.

History

Historical Context

The 2011 Sovereign Grant Act, championed by Chancellor George Osborne, replaced the centuries-old civil-list system that began when King George III surrendered hereditary revenues in 1760. It set the monarch’s annual payment at 15 % of Crown Estate profits, amounting to £31 million in 2012-13 and introduced National Audit Office oversight. Ongoing parliamentary reviews of Prince William’s lease and NAO audits echo that 2012 transparency drive.

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Story summary

Prince William disclosed his £307,200-a-year Forest Lodge lease, bans subletting, and said he will end rent-free homes for royals.
The National Audit Office found Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie live rent-free at St James’s and Kensington Palaces.
An Ipsos poll showing 73 % of Britons want Prince Andrew removed from the succession line prompted a Commons accounts committee review of NAO findings after he sublet three Royal Lodge cottages and earned income.

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