Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie arrived in smiles at All Saints Church in Kemble, Gloucestershire, for their cousin Peter Phillips’ wedding to NHS nurse Harriet Sperling. the ceremony, held in the Cotswolds, unfolded amid a National Audit Office report that revealed the sisters’ rent has been secretly subsidised by the royal family for years, first by Queen Elizabeth II and now by King Charles III from his private income.

Rent Subsidies Traced to Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III

According to the National Audit Office report, the two princesses, who perform no official royal duties, have been receiving financial support for their residences from the monarchy for years. The support originally came from their grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, and has continued under their uncle, King Charles III, who covers their rent from his private income, the Privy Purse.

Public‑Funded Maintenance of Royal Palaces

The report notes that the properties, located within royal palaces such as Kensington Palace ,are maintained with public funds via the Sovereign Grant. This system effectively results in reimbursement to the monarch for the sisters’ benefit, blurring the line between private and public money in royal household operations.

Outdated Market Valuations Raise Questions

Adjusted rents, lowered due to security requirements, were found to be based on outdated market valuations. The report highlights that the sisters’ adjusted rents were calculated using figures that may no longer reflect current market conditions, raising further questions about the arrangement’s fairness.

Family Dynamics Highlighted at the Wedding

Princess Beatrice, 37, wore a green and white leaf‑printed dress and was accompanied by her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, while Princess Eugenie, 38, who is expecting her third child, walked in a navy outfit with her husband James Brooksbank.. Their presence at the ceremony contrasted sharply with Prince Harry’s absence, a no‑show that has strained family ties for nearly two decades.

Unanswered Questions About the Subsidy Scheme

Who exactly determines the rent amounts for the sisters’ residences? How often are the market valuations updated? And what oversight exists to ensure the Privy Purse’s use of private income for public‑funded properties remains transparent? These questions remain unanswered as the monarchy faces renewed scrutiny.