Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, are facing criticism after reports they are earning around £130,000 a year by subletting a converted stable on their Crown Estate property.
The office space, located on the grounds of Bagshot Park — the couple’s £30 million Surrey residence — has reportedly been advertised for £10,834 per month. The stables sit approximately 400 yards from the main house and have been marketed as commercial office space.
The arrangement has sparked controversy, with critics claiming the income should go to the Crown Estate — and ultimately the taxpayer — rather than the royal household.
Former Liberal Democrat minister Norman Baker described the situation as “outrageous”.
“Any money raised from those stables should only be going to one place — the Crown Estate,” he said.
“Crown Estate profits go directly to the Treasury, so it is the taxpayer who is losing out here.”
He added: “It’s an outrage they pay a peppercorn rent as it is and now Edward and Sophie are free to rake in £130,000 for a stable block as part of the deal. It is outrageous.”
The Duke and Duchess are understood to pay only a nominal, or “peppercorn”, rent for Bagshot Park, a common arrangement for royal residences owned by the Crown Estate.
Reports suggest the stable conversion was taken off the market late last year after a period of vacancy and is now being refurbished ahead of being let again this summer.
The controversy comes as the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) continues to examine royal finances, including the value for money of lease arrangements on Crown Estate properties.
The issue of peppercorn rents has already been under scrutiny following questions over the long-term living arrangements of Prince Andrew at Royal Lodge, where he reportedly paid only a nominal fee.
The PAC has said its inquiry aims to “secure value for money for the taxpayer”.
Buckingham Palace has been approached for comment.