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Sounds like a Londoner's crazed fantasy? In an area
where you can't rent a broom cupboard for less than a grand a week,
how could a deal like this be possible? The answer is: you have
to be a minor royal, specifically Prince Michael of Kent and his
lovely wife Princess Michael (unkindly nicknamed Princess Pushy
by jealous plebs).
Despite the fact that they fulfill no royal engagements,
the lucky couple live at taxpayer's expense in a huge apartment
in Kensington Palace overlooking Kensington Gardens and a short
limo ride from Harrods. Local estate agents have said that the market
rent for a comparable property in Kensington would be in the region
of £10,000 per month.
The details of their tenancy came to light last
week in a Commons written answer by Alan Howarth, a junior minister
at the culture, sport and media department. It emerged from his
statement that the Kents have had the benefit of the apartment since
1979 and only started paying a £3,500 per year contribution to the
£1.1m upkeep costs of Kensington Palace in 1994. Until then, they
lived there for free.
The couple own an eight-bedroom mansion in Gloucestershire
worth an estimated £1.6m, though they are said to have complained
privately about their lack of cash. Next year they will face a rent
rise for their Kensington home - of the princely sum of £1.70 per
week.
In an unwelcome turn of events for the Kents, it
seems that they may now be in danger of losing their luxurious apartment
which comes with a team of gardeners, eighteen specialist craftsmen
and a 24-hour telephone exchange.
The review of business interests of royals which
came in the wake of the Sophiegate affair when the Duchess of Wessex
was duped into making damaging remarks by an undercover journalist,
may catch the Kents in its net. Prince Michael is said to have taken
24 free airline trips in 15 months by exploiting his royal connections.
Even if they lose their Kensington home, it is
not though that they will be reduced to selling the Big Issue at
Knightsbridge tube station.
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