Royal News and Views

Royal News and Views
[ Royal News and Views ]

'King Charles is not a housing association for distant relatives'

Posted by Susan T on March 24, 2023, 2:44 pm

King Charles is in the midst of a shake up of royal finances including stopping his family getting mates' rates on Crown properties with one source declaring: 'The King is not some sort of housing association for distant relatives.'

His Majesty is said to view the eviction of Harry and Meghan from Frogmore Cottage as 'just the start' of his plans to slim down the monarchy.

Famously the Sussexes enjoyed a grace-and-favour British home in the grounds of Windsor Castle and Prince Andrew pays a reported £250-a-week for his grand 30-room Royal Lodge mansion. But recently Charles reportedly decided to evict them both.

One key area earmarked for savings is said to be ending any subsidised rents for royals — even for some working royals with the King telling them to pay for all their homes and 'cut their cloth' accordingly by 2028.

Well, Charles, tell the Crown Estates to stop asking prospective tenants to make capital improvements in exchange for those low rents. Nobody in their right mind is going to pay to bring electrical and other mechanicals up to code and put a new roof on a building they don't own and pay top rental dollar (pound?) for the privilege.

Link: Daily Mail

Re: 'King Charles is not a housing association for distant relatives'

Posted by Cynthia on March 24, 2023, 2:59 pm, in reply to "'King Charles is not a housing association for distant relatives'"

The article only mentions the usual suspects. What about the Kents? The Gloucesters?

Edward VIII referred to Kensington Palace as The Aunt Heap, because of all the elderly relatives who holed up there. Princess Beatrice, Princess Victoria (Milford Haven), Princess Louise... later Princess Alice of Albany, maybe even the Carisbrookes... I can't imagine KP or St James's being rented out to just any one.

Re: 'King Charles is not a housing association for distant relatives'

Posted by karenl on March 24, 2023, 6:50 pm, in reply to "Re: 'King Charles is not a housing association for distant relatives'"

I was just going to say the same, what about the Kents and Gloucesters, in addition to Edward and Anne? Royals who have been loyal to the Monarchy and carried out engagements through thick and thin without complaint.
To me, deal with the Sussexes and Andrew first, then move on.

Re: 'King Charles is not a housing association for distant relatives'

Posted by Susan T on March 24, 2023, 7:23 pm, in reply to "Re: 'King Charles is not a housing association for distant relatives'"

I think the Kents and Gloucesters have already been downsized into "cottages".

Edward's lease is periodically reviewed, and his rent adjusted accordingly, and Anne owns her home. It's possible that Charles will try to turf them out the suite of rooms they use when they have engagements in London. If he does so, they may decide that Charles and Camilla can take over their London commitments.

« Back to index

248

[ Royal News and Views ]