Non-working members of the royal family, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, have their rent for their Kensington Palace apartment covered by the King, as per a recent report. The National Audit Office’s findings revealed that the late Queen’s cousin and his spouse reside in one of three properties within royal palaces designated for non-working royals. The Royal Household, responsible for managing these leases, typically charges around 60% of the properties’ open market value.
However, discrepancies were noted in the rental rates, with the Kents’ Kensington Palace property lacking a recorded lease valuation before 2026. The couple, often referred to as the “Rent-a-Kents,” faced scrutiny in 2002 for paying a nominal rent of £69 per week for Apartment 10, despite not actively participating as working royals.
Following demands from MPs on the Public Accounts Committee for the couple to pay full rent, a resolution was reached where the late Queen offered to cover an annual commercial rent of £120,000 on their behalf until 2009. Subsequently, the King has been covering their rent from the Privy Purse, continuing the commitment initially made by the late Queen.
Details regarding the exact amount covered by the King post-2009 remain undisclosed, but the NAO report indicated a 34% rent increase between 2020 and 2026, reaching 63% of the property’s 2026 market value. Additionally, the report highlighted the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh’s arrangement, where they pay a nominal rent for Bagshot Park after securing a long lease in 2007.
In a separate arrangement, Princess Alexandra resides in Thatched House Lodge, subject to an annual ground rent of £1,500. Her daughter, Marina Ogilvy, holds a tenancy on a cottage within the Windsor Estate, paying an annual rent of £17,436. The NAO report sheds light on these property arrangements within the royal family.
The Public Accounts Committee initiated an inquiry into the Crown Estate’s property arrangements with the royals, prompted by discrepancies in rent payments by Mountbatten-Windsor. The report also revealed that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor generated income by subletting cottages within the Royal Lodge estate.
Transparency regarding royal funding and property arrangements has been called into question by various stakeholders. Advocates for reform have urged for a comprehensive inquiry by the Public Accounts Committee to address concerns and ensure accountability within the monarchy.
