Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie do not pay for their lodging in royal palaces, as the King covers their accommodation expenses, a recent disclosure revealed. Previously, it was believed that the daughters of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor paid market rent for their London residences, with Beatrice residing in an apartment at St James’ Palace and Eugenie in a cottage within Kensington Palace grounds.
A recent investigation by the National Audit Office unveiled that the non-working royal sisters have their accommodation costs covered by the Privy Purse, which consists of the King’s private income from the Duchy of Lancaster. The report highlighted that the rent for properties leased by the Royal Household within royal palaces is typically set at 60% of the open market value for non-working members of the Royal Family.
The adjusted rental rates for Eugenie and Beatrice were based on outdated open market valuations for several years. Currently, Eugenie’s rent for Ivy Cottage is at 64% of a 2026 open market valuation, while Beatrice’s rent for her apartment is at 68% of the same valuation. Specific rental details were not disclosed by the NAO, citing privacy concerns.
The arrangement for the Privy Purse to cover the York sisters’ rent was established by the late Queen, with Eugenie personally funding renovations to her cottage at Kensington Palace. However, concerns have been raised by Norman Baker, an expert on royal finances, regarding the subsidization of non-working royals by the Duchy of Lancaster, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in royal funding.
Eugenie, 36, and Beatrice, 37, hold non-working royal roles while pursuing separate professional careers outside the royal family. Beatrice, a mother of two and married to property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, also owns a luxury home in the Cotswolds. On the other hand, Eugenie, expecting her third child, is married to Jack Brooksbank, who is involved in luxury real estate sales in Portugal.
The princesses recently faced scrutiny following their connection to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, with allegations surrounding their mother’s visit to the convicted sex offender. Additionally, revelations surfaced regarding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s subletting of cottages at Royal Lodge, raising questions about financial transactions within the royal family.
In conclusion, the report sheds light on the complex rental and lease arrangements for various royal family members, prompting calls for further transparency and oversight in royal funding practices.
