A source close to the Royal Family has hit out at the “grossly unfair” treatment of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
The sisters have faced some criticism over the lavish nature of their lifestyle whilst being raised by Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson.
Prince Andrew’s finances are currently under scrutiny after it was revealed on Monday that the disgraced royal is living at Royal Lodge without paying rent.
Andrew has been paying merely a symbolic annual fee for his 30-room Windsor residence for more than two decades.
A source close to the Royal Family has hit out at the “grossly unfair” treatment of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
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The lease arrangement specifies payment of “one peppercorn” yearly, “if demanded”, which is how Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, with whom he lives, have managed to retain the substantial property.
Revenue generated by the Crown Estate, which manages royal properties and land, flows directly to the Treasury to support national finances.
The rent arrangement has intensified scrutiny over whether taxpayers are missing out on substantial income that could have been generated from the royal residence.
Records indicate that the prince entered into a 75-year lease for the property in 2003, making an initial payment of £1m.
Andrew has been paying merely a symbolic annual fee for his 30-room Windsor residence for more than two decades.
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According to a National Audit Office report, he was additionally obligated to contribute £7.5m towards renovations that were finalised in 2005.
The lease documentation reveals that should the prince surrender the property, the Crown Estate would owe him approximately £558,000.
He would receive annual payments of £185,865 until 2028, marking the agreement’s 25th year.
A source told the Mail: “Bea and Eugenie should be treated in a completely different way from their parents.
“They are lovely women who want to make a useful contribution to society.”
It comes King Charles has been shielding Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie from any impact of the sanctions on their father, Prince Andrew.
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It comes King Charles has been shielding Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie from any impact of the sanctions on their father, Prince Andrew.
The King is keen to “protect” his nieces who remain Her Royal Highnesses as granddaughters of Queen Elizabeth II.
Despite recent measures the King has taken against Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson over recent scandals, including banning them from upcoming Christmas celebrations, he is keen for Beatrice and Eugenie to feel welcome at family gatherings.
A source said: “He (the King) wouldn’t have wanted to sign off on anything that would impact them.”
