| Homes & Property - E:camden@myvillage.co.uk | |
| Kensington des res - 9 receptions, 7 bed , £67.30 pw - 09/05/01 | |
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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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