Anti-monarchy campaigners question accommodation benefits provided to non-working royals
The royal family has come under renewed scrutiny following the publication of an official report examining royal property arrangements.
A report released by the National Audit Office has reignited debate over the use of royal residences, particularly in relation to accommodation provided to non-working members of the monarchy.
According to the findings, King Charles continues to cover housing costs for his nieces, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, despite neither carrying out official royal duties. The report also noted that, for several years, adjusted rents for some royal properties were calculated using outdated market valuations.
The findings prompted criticism from anti-monarchy campaigners, who took to social media to voice their concerns about the royal family's housing arrangements.
In a statement, the group argued that members of the royal family are effectively receiving access to homes and palaces without bearing the full market costs. The campaigners compared the situation to a housing scheme benefiting wealthy individuals and linked it to broader concerns about housing affordability faced by the public.
The report follows recent attention surrounding housing arrangements connected to Prince Andrew and his lease of a Crown Estate property.
Andrew, who stepped back from royal duties and lost his honorary military titles and royal patronages following controversy over his association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has remained a focus of public discussion regarding royal residences and finances.
Neither King Charles III nor Buckingham Palace has publicly responded to the latest criticism surrounding the report.
