Prince Harry and his wife Meghan’s new home in Windsor cost £2.4 million ($3.05 million, 2.7 million euros) to renovate before they moved in, royal accounts showed Tuesday.
Queen Elizabeth II’s grandson and his wife moved into Frogmore Cottage on the Windsor Castle estate before the birth of their son Archie on May 6.
The residence, west of London, had been split into five separate homes but was turned back into one property in a six-month refurbishment.
“The property had not been the subject of work for some years and had already been earmarked for renovation,” said Michael Stevens, who runs the monarchy’s accounts.
“The building was returned to a single residence and outdated infrastructure was replaced to guarantee the long-term future of the property.
“All fixtures and fittings were paid for by their royal highnesses,” added Stevens, whose title is Keeper of the Privy Purse.
The cost was revealed as the British monarchy published its accounts for the last financial year.
The monarchy is paid for using a slice of the profits from the land it owns, the rest of which go to the government.
The monarchy’s official expenditure in the financial year 2018-2019 was £67 million, including souping up Frogmore Cottage, built in 1801.
– £1.7m food and drink –
The figures out Tuesday showed the royals spent £23.2 million on wages for the equivalent of 463 full-time staff.
They splashed £2.3 million on official hospitality and housekeeping, including £1.7 million on food and drink for around 160,000 guests.
Cleaning and laundry came to £600,000, while the wine and spirits bill was £400,000, with wine being held in stock to age.
The royal family carried out more than 3,200 official engagements in Britain and around the world in the financial year to April.
US President Donald Trump’s state visit will be included in next year’s accounts.
AFP
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