Prince William may have to make difficult decisions about royal properties after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s low-rent deal for Royal Lodge caused public anger, a new report has revealed.
According to The Mirror, the “disgraced” former royal was paying only a small “peppercorn” rent for the large Windsor home.
It has now led MPs in the Public Accounts Committee to start a formal review of how royal properties are rented and managed.
The inquiry is expected to look at other senior royals who also pay very low rents for Crown Estate properties.
Speaking with the publication, a royal expert said this has raised concerns about whether taxpayers are getting fair value from the royal estates, as profits from the Crown Estate go back into the public purse.
Royal expert Jennie Bond said, "Although I don’t think the family will be jumping with joy at the prospect of a comprehensive rent review, I think they will accept that it’s high time that the monarchy’s finances were more transparent.”
"In my opinion, it’s also time that the family’s property portfolio should be substantially reduced,” the royal expert added.
“And I think William will be the one to do that, if nothing has changed by the time he becomes King.
For now, though, they will have to accept that their rents are being scrutinised."
