The Prince and Princess of Wales are spending £307,500 annually to lease Forest Lodge in Windsor, a figure the couple have reportedly chosen to disclose publicly amid heightened scrutiny of royal property arrangements.
According to the Times, Land Registry documents filed this week confirm William and Catherine as leaseholders of the Grade II listed mansion in Windsor Great Park, for which they signed a 20-year agreement in July last year.
The annual sum represents a substantial increase from what previous occupants paid.
Alexander Fitzgibbons, who chairs the events company Fait Accompli, responsible for organising both the Waleses’ and the Sussexes’ wedding receptions, had been paying £216,000 yearly alongside Swedish businesswoman Cristina Stenbeck under a joint tenancy from 2019.
Prince William and Catherine moved to Forest Lodge last year
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The rent has therefore risen by nearly 50 per cent.
The rental figure was determined through three separate market valuations, with Hamptons and Savills representing the Crown Estate while Knight Frank acted on behalf of the royal couple.
William funds the lease from his private income derived from the Duchy of Cornwall profits.
Although he does not publicly declare his tax payments, Kensington Palace has confirmed he pays at the highest rate.
The Waleses see Forest Lodge as their ‘forever home’
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A Sunday Times investigation recently estimated his annual tax contribution falls between £5million and £7million.
The lease encompasses the main residence along with two cottages on the grounds that accommodate staff.
The Waleses have reportedly described the property as their “forever home” and intend to seek an extension when the current agreement concludes.
The disclosure stands in stark contrast to arrangements enjoyed by other members of the Royal Family.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was evicted from Royal Lodge last year
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It was previously revealed that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor paid only a peppercorn rent on Royal Lodge for two decades following an £8million refurbishment payment, before relocating to Marsh Farm in Sandringham this year.
Similarly, the Duke of Edinburgh secured favourable terms at Bagshot Park, a 120-room Surrey mansion.
Under a 2007 lease extension signed through his company, Eclipse Nominees Limited, Edward paid £5million upfront for 150 years but contributes merely a peppercorn rent annually.
These revelations have fuelled concerns about transparency in royal property dealings. William is understood to have acknowledged calls for greater openness regarding how members of the family pay for their homes.
An aerial view of Royal Lodge in Windsor | REUTERS
The Public Accounts Committee announced in December that it would investigate Crown Estate property leases involving the Royal Family. Evidence sessions are expected to commence in the coming months, though no specific date has been confirmed.
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, the Conservative committee chairman, stated that enhanced scrutiny of royal property transactions would “aid transparency in public-interest information”.
Dan Labbad, the Crown Estate’s chief executive, told the committee that negotiations with the Waleses “were conducted on an arm’s length basis, to ensure appropriate market terms were agreed”.
Beyond Forest Lodge, William and Catherine maintain residences at Kensington Palace, their official London base, and Anmer Hall on the Sandringham Estate, which the late Queen gifted them upon their marriage.
GB News has contacted Kensington Palace and the Crown Estate for comment.