Calls grow for public inquiry into all royal finances

The news

The National Audit Office published its report on Friday as part of a public accounts committee inquiry. It found that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor received undisclosed income from subletting three cottages on the Royal Lodge estate while paying only a peppercorn rent. The report stated that the watchdog did not know what rent was charged and that the subletting agreement ended in April 2026. Campaigners including Republic chief executive Graham Smith and former minister Norman Baker called for a wider investigation into all royal finances.

What's at stake

The Sovereign Grant Act shifted responsibility for maintaining royal properties from ministers to the monarch. The NAO report examined leases across the royal estate and found some were based on commercial valuations while others involved no rent or negligible amounts. William and his wife Kate pay £307,200 per year to the Crown Estate for Forest Lodge plus £19,800 for a staff property. The Crown Estate paid £400,000 for repairs before they moved in. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie live in royal palaces with rents paid privately by King Charles from the Privy Purse and adjusted due to security vetting requirements.

The Crown Estate and royal palace property portfolio is state property. Non-working royals occupy publicly maintained accommodation while the NAO found that some rents were calculated on out-of-date valuations from 2018 and 2020. The report also noted that Princess Michael of Kent receives similar subsidised arrangements at Kensington Palace.

The case for

A full public inquiry would map every stream of public money and private income linked to royal properties. It would establish clear boundaries between state assets and personal benefit, allowing Parliament to decide what should remain under royal use. Comparable reviews of other public bodies have produced clearer accounting rules and reduced hidden subsidies. Greater transparency would show taxpayers exactly which costs fall on the public purse and which are covered privately.

The case against

The National Audit Office already conducts detailed examinations of royal property arrangements and reports its findings to the public accounts committee. Parliament retains the power to request further information or adjust the Sovereign Grant framework through existing legislation. Adding another inquiry layer would duplicate work already completed by the spending watchdog without changing the legal position of the properties or the monarch's responsibilities.

Why it matters now

The public accounts committee can decide whether to widen its current inquiry or close the matter after the NAO report. A broader review would set new disclosure standards for all royal accommodation. If no further action is taken, the current mix of peppercorn rents, Privy Purse payments and Crown Estate leases will continue unchanged.

Further reading

The Guardian · jpost.com

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