Nominal rent ensures couple have UK base
BUCKINGHAM Palace last night rowed back on its insistence the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would pay a commercial rent on Frogmore Cottage.
The Duke and Duchess were facing paying an annual rent of anywhere between £150,000 and £360,000 for the house on the Windsor Estate. The Grade Ii-listed property cost the taxpayer £2.4million to renovate, providing the Sussexes with a family home.
Under the terms of their withdrawal from the Royal family, the couple have promised to repay the cost of the refurbishment. It was claimed on Saturday that they would in the future pay a commercial rent on a home that they still intended to make their UK base.
Reports suggested the family home could cost between £12,000 and £30,000 a month to rent on the open market. On top of that they will also need to pay a substantial sum to either rent or buy a property in Canada that provides suitable privacy and security.
Last night, Buckingham Palace aides said nothing had been agreed on Frogmore Cottage, suggesting a peppercorn rent was more likely for a house that would now be barely used.
The aides suggested the couple would pay rent and running costs for the time they stayed at Frogmore Cottage. A source said: “The Queen made it clear she wanted to ensure they could keep the home she had given them in her back yard.”
The Sussexes paid separately for the fixtures and fittings in Frogmore Cottage and would likely feel hard done by if charged a commercial rent on top for a home that will no longer be their main residence.
They had originally planned to divide their time between the UK and North America when they first announced they were stepping down as senior members of the Royal family but following Saturday night’s announcement, are expected to make Canada their main base – for the time being.
It’s thought the Queen will want to offer Frogmore Cottage at a nominal rent to ensure the Sussexes retain some foothold in the UK, giving them a connection with Britain and a hope they could change their minds.
At least two permanent members of staff employed at the house – a manager and a cleaner – were reassigned to other duties within the Queen’s household last week. Other employees including chefs, maids and footmen were told they were no longer needed.
It is also unclear how or when the Duke will repay the £2.4million – rising to £3million when all the work is complete – that was spent on the house.
The house was a wedding gift from the Queen but she retains ownership.