Blow for Princess Beatrice and Eugenie as they’re told to leave royal homes

The princesses have been living rent-free in Kensington Palace and St James’s Palace despite being non-working royals.

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A new investigation found the princesses have been living rent-free at royal residences (Image: Getty)

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have been dealt a major blow over their living arrangements after Express readers decided they should be evicted from their royal homes. A new investigation has revealed that King Charles has been footing the bill for the sisters’ living arrangements at royal residences, despite them being non-working royals.

The National Audit Office has published a report into the Royal Family’s residential property arrangements after controversy surrounding the disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s lease of the Crown Estate home. Some of the findings of the bombshell probe include that the princesses have been living rent-free in Kensington Palace and St James’s Palace, despite having their own jobs outside royal duties. Additionally, for several years, their adjusted rents – reduced because the Royal Household properties require tenants with security clearance – were based on outdated open-market valuations.

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The princesses have been living rent-free in Kensington Palace and St James’s Palace, despite having their own jobs outside royal duties (Image: Getty)

The findings have sparked backlash with former Lib Dem minister Norman Baker, who has long been a critic of royal finances, branding the arrangements “outrageous”.

Now, in a Daily Express poll, 10,385 readers voted, and 6,782 (65%) said Beatrice and Eugenie should be evicted from their royal homes. 3,208 readers (31%) said they should not be evicted, while 395 (4%) voted ‘I don’t know’.

“They are married to rich men, if they want a London address let them buy it themselves,” one reader commented.

Another revelation is that Andrew received an undisclosed private income from subletting three cottages on his Royal Lodge estate while paying a peppercorn rent for more than two decades. Mr Baker said: “The whole thing is outrageous. If you look at Andrew, this is adding insult to injury.

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Andrew received an undisclosed private income from subletting three cottages on his Royal Lodge estate (Image: Getty)

“It shows an absolute total contempt for the taxpayer, not only that Andrew was able to have a peppercorn rent for a gigantic property, but then to make potentially millions on the side from subletting properties.

“The money should have gone to the Crown Estate, not into (his) pockets.”

He added of Beatrice and Eugenie: “There’s no way that non-working members of the Royal Family should be subsidised by the Duchy of Lancaster.

“The Royal Family is yet again taking the public for a complete ride.”

SOURCE:  Princess Beatrice and Eugenie told to leave royal homes | Royal | News | Express.co.uk