British royal family news reveals that Buckingham Palace agreed to a deal in which Harry and Meghan were allowed to not pay rent on Frogmore Cottage, even after they complained that the renovations they demanded were not satisfactory.
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In an exclusive get, The Mail on Sunday divulges that once the royal runaways repaid £2.4 million owed to taxpayers for their remodel demand, they were allowed to live rent free.
Royal Family News: The Markles Scored Free Rent
This is in contrast to reports, “that the Sussexes would pay a ‘commercial rate’ for the five-bedroom mansion on the Windsor estate. But Palace officials last night confirmed that the lump-sum payment wiped out the couple’s rental obligations as the increased value of the property following the work was taken as ‘rent in lieu.’”
The Markles will not renew their lease when it ends at the end of March and the previously undisclosed deal means that the Sussexes may have pocketed nearly £700,000.
Royal Family News: Markles Lived Rent Free
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About this unusual arrangement, a Palace spokesperson said: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a contribution of £2.4 million to the Sovereign Grant which covered the refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage. They have fulfilled their financial obligations in relation to the property.”
“In line with usual practice for the Sovereign Grant report, the accounting treatment was scrutinised and signed off by the National Audit Office and the Treasury. As with any such agreement between landlord and tenant, further details regarding the Sussexes’ tenancy arrangements would be a private matter.”
Royal Family News: The Markles Provoke Anger
This news did not sit well with former Cabinet Minister and Privy Counsellor Norman Baker. After the palace admitted the truth, he said, “It is outrageous that Harry and Meghan should be able to live in a huge house on these terms while regular people struggle to put food on the table.”
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In November 2019 Buckingham Palace announced that the couple would be given Frogmore Cottage as their official residence. But first they demanded renovations, and the taxpayer footed the bill.
In their now infamous Megxit departure, “They quit Royal duties officially in March 2020 and a Palace spokesman told the BBC they would continue to pay a ‘commercial rate’ of rent on the property.”
The outlet notes that this was, “not a deal which was publicly announced by the Palace. Nor was it easy to see by looking at the official Sovereign Grant reports which outline public spending on the monarchy.”
But when confronted by the outlet, “Last night Buckingham Palace confirmed that the £2.4 million was split into three headings and recorded across two sets of accounts. In the 2020/21 figures, the lump sum is listed as both ‘rental income’ and as ‘recharges for functions and other income.”
Tell us royal fans, is this just the latest outrage connected to the Markles, or is it a water under the bridge?
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Megan and Harry are nothing but trouble. Charge them rent for the length of time of the original agreement and send them away.
I’m so over Hank and Skank.
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