Prince and Princess of Wales William and Kate paid a rent that has spiked more than six figures since the old tenants paid to stay in the plush Grade II listed building in Windsor
William and Kate’s annual rent for their “forever home” in Windsor is £100,000 more than the previous tenants, it has been reported.
Documents have revealed the Prince and Princess of Wales are the official leaseholders of the Grade II listed Forest Lodge mansion after they signed a 20-year agreement for the property in July last year.
The rent has spiked almost £100,000 to £307,500 when compared to that paid by previous tenants at the property. While the lease had been agreed last year, its exact value had not been made public. It has now been disclosed as part of Land Registry filings that confirms the pair as the official proprietors of the lease on the lodge in Windsor Great Park.
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The agreement covers the lodge as well as two cottages in the grounds that have been used for staff accommodation, according to the Times. It had previously been let for £216,000 per year to Alexander Fitzgibbons, the chairman of the Fait Accompli event company.
The Royal couple had said the lodge was their “forever home” and understood to be planning an extension to the lease when it expires. William’s rent is paid from his private income that he receives from the Duchy of Cornwall.
Kensington Palace said William has paid the highest rate of tax on this private income with the exact figures not being publicly disclosed. Forest Lodge was returned to the Crown Estate by Queen Elizabeth II in the 90s.
It has been let on the open market since then. William and Kate retain residences at Kensington Palace, which is their official home, as well as Anmer Hall in Norfolk, on the Sandringham Estate, which had been a wedding gift from Queen Elizabeth.
The public disclosure comes amid heightened security of property arrangements and the Crown Estate’s leasing practices. The Crown Estate’s chief executive Dan Labbad previously told MPs: “Following an approach from HRH The Prince of Wales and discussions with the Royal Household, the commissioners were asked to consider entering into a lease of the property to TRH The Prince and Princess of Wales for use as their primary private residence.”He told MPs “negotiations were conducted on an arm’s length basis, to ensure appropriate market terms.”
The disclosure happened amid a greater debate over transparency in royal finances around Crown Estate property deals that involve the more senior members of the UK Royal Family.
