King Charles has been secretly funding below-market rent for his non-working nieces, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, according to a National Audit Office (NAO) report. The monarch, 77, pays the rent from his private Duchy of Lancaster income, covering apartments in St James's Palace and Kensington Palace.
Beatrice, 37, resides in St James's Palace, while Eugenie, 36, lives at Ivy Cottage in Kensington Palace. Their rents were calculated on out-of-date valuations, with Eugenie's rent based on a 2018 valuation until this year, and Beatrice's on a 2020 valuation. Current rates are 64% and 68% of 2026 market values respectively.
Former Liberal Democrat minister Norman Baker criticised the arrangement, stating: “There’s no way that non-working members of the royal family should be subsidised by the Duchy of Lancaster. The royal family is yet again taking the public for a complete ride.”
The NAO did not disclose the exact amounts paid, citing privacy. Both princesses have jobs, with Beatrice married to property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and Eugenie to marketing executive Jack Brooksbank. They faced scrutiny over links to Jeffrey Epstein via their mother, Sarah Ferguson.
Charles also funds rent for non-working royal Princess Michael of Kent at Kensington Palace. In contrast, 11 working royals, including William and Kate, receive free residences in exchange for official duties.
