As King Charles III prepares to streamline the monarchy, his recent decision to evict the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from Frogmore Cottage is reportedly just the beginning of more significant changes to come. The soon-to-be-crowned monarch, alongside Queen Consort Camilla, is said to be planning to end subsidized rents for royal family members within the next five years.
This new financial policy is expected to apply to all royals, including working members such as the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. One source noted that the King "is not some sort of housing association for distant relatives."
The Duke of York, who may have to leave his current residence at the Royal Lodge, is said to have been offered Frogmore Cottage by the King. Following the coronation, Vice-Admiral Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt, Master of the Household, and Sir Michael Stevens, Keeper of the Privy Purse, will oversee a period of transition at Buckingham Palace, according to sources.
Queen Consort Camilla will purportedly ensure that the royal household follows the "Clarence House way" of operation. A senior figure explained, "It is not about cuts; it is about getting the best value for money from those on the payroll. Sometimes less is more."
King Charles III is reportedly aiming to decrease the number of financially dependent royals, particularly non-prominent members. He is said to be focused on using funds from the Duchy of Lancaster and the sovereign grant "more effectively," and on attracting top talent by offering competitive salaries and pensions. The source revealed that "staff cutbacks" are already underway and emphasized the importance of "value for money."
The King is also reportedly planning to rent palace accommodations and apartments, known as "London pads," at commercial rates to non-royals. These prospective tenants would need to pass security vetting if they are to live in a palace environment.
Members of the extended royal family who cannot afford their current residences are advised to "cut their cloth." For example, Andrew has reportedly told friends he could not afford Royal Lodge's maintenance costs if his £249,000 annual allowance is cut. A senior source said that while the King is neither heartless nor reckless, family members not part of the core family or working for the crown should provide for themselves.
Though King Charles III has reportedly made provisions for alternative accommodations for both the Sussexes and Andrew, it is evident that the monarch is committed to a more streamlined, cost-effective, and efficient royal family.
