The homes that the British royal family lives in range from extravagant palaces to modest cottages with five bedrooms. These lavish homes fit for royalty certainly require a lot of upkeep. We are now wondering if royals have to pay rent. As with other rules that govern the royal family, it all depends on if you’re considered a working royal or not.
Homes Like These Don’t Come Cheap, Unless You’re Royalty
The British royal family would have some of the most luxurious homes in Britain. But how much do they pay for these luxurious accommodations? Depending on how much work they do for the Firm, certain members of the royal family don’t pay anything at all in rent. As the head of the family, Queen Elizabeth doesn’t have to pay anything for her lavish home at Windsor Castle.
Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles live in Clarence House, which is located beside the palatial St. James Palace. The house was once the residence of Charles’ parents following their wedding in 1947 and was the London home of the Queen Mother from 1953 to 2002. Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace is where Prince William and Kate Middleton live. They are also reported to live free of charge.
Who Pays?
Charles and his spouse, William, and William are both full-time royals. They are allowed to live on royal grounds in return for their work. Other royals who are not full-time working royals, like Williams’ cousins Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, would have to pay for the upkeep on their royal residences.
Princess Beatrice currently lives in St. James Palace. It’s been reported that Prince Andrew has previously covered his daughters’ living expenses, so it’s likely that he’s continued to do so. His younger daughter, Princess Eugenie (with her husband and infant son), recently moved into Frogmore Cottage.
What about Meghan Markle, Prince Harry
If that home sounds familiar, that’s because it also serves as the UK home base for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The couple, despite living in California, have retained ownership of the home, and since they’re no longer working royals, they do actually pay for the upkeep. While they’re in their new home base in lovely Montecito, however, they’ve reportedly allowed their royal cousin and her familyTo live in the property rent-free.
Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex were also honored. As a wedding gift, Queen Elizabeth II gave the couple Bagshot Park, a 120-room estate, as a gift. It’s believed that they also don’t have to pay for the upkeep on the massive manor. Isn’t family grand? They have plenty of manors to give away, especially when they are able to do so in a grand way.
