Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have reportedly never paid rent while residing in prestigious palace accommodations for almost twenty years.

A National Audit Office report has unveiled some of the favorable arrangements that both working and non-working royals have enjoyed in relation to their housing.

Among those benefiting from these arrangements are Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s daughters, who, despite not carrying out royal duties, have received financial support for years from their grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth, and now from their uncle, King Charles.

Both princesses lead independent careers, are married to successful husbands, and own multi-million-pound properties, raising questions about why they have not financed their own royal residences.

The report’s revelations have sparked public outrage and criticism.

Shamed Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, it was disclosed, was allowed to let three properties on his leased Windsor estate – Royal Lodge – to staff and potentially pocket the profits.

And he could be entitled to more than £300,000 in ‘compensation’ from the Crown Estate after being forced out of the Grade II-listed mansion over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein several years before the end of his 75-year lease.

Questions are also likely to be raised about the late Queen’s cousins, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, who have also enjoyed a long-term, sovereign-subsidised arrangement on their own lavish Kensington Palace apartment.

Meanwhile, another of the late Queen’s cousins, Princess Alexandra, 89, rents a mansion in scenic Richmond Park, south-west London. 

A trust negotiated a lease on her behalf with the Crown Estate until 2144 – when she would be 207.

The NAO report was prompted by the scandal of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s ‘peppercorn rent’ deal for Royal Lodge, one of the last trappings of royal life after he was stripped of his titles and status following revelations about his dealings with paedophile financier Epstein.

While the report is factual and does not seek to examine value for money, it does contain a number of intriguing revelations that are likely to be raked over by MPs in the coming months.

Former Liberal Democrat minister Norman Baker, who has long been a critic of royal finances, said: ‘The whole thing is outrageous. If you look at Andrew, this is adding insult to injury.

‘It shows an absolute total contempt for the taxpayer. The money should have gone to the Crown Estate, not into (his) pockets.’ 

He said of Beatrice and Eugenie: ‘There’s no way that non-working members of the Royal Family should be subsidised by the Duchy of Lancaster. The Royal Family is yet again taking the public for a complete ride.’

The York sisters lived at St James’s Palace from 2008, before Eugenie, now 36, moved to Ivy Cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace in 2018. She now splits her time between London and a £3.6million Portuguese home. 

Her neighbours are said to include F1 racing drivers and fashion designer Christian Louboutin.

Beatrice, 37, stayed on at the apartment, which she shares with her husband, property developer Edo Mapelli Mozzi, and their family, while also owning a multi-million pound home in the Cotswolds.

Both rents, the report reveals, are paid to the Royal Household entirely by Charles out of the Privy Purse, which is made up of his Duchy of Lancaster income and other private funds. No taxpayer money was involved.

However, the homes are situated in occupied royal palaces which are maintained by public funding via the Sovereign Grant – which was effectively reimbursed by the monarch on their behalf.

And for a number of years, their adjusted rents – reduced because the Royal Household properties require tenants with security clearance – were based on out-of-date open market valuations, as were others. 

Some of the properties were dramatically under market value, with the report finding that not even a self-imposed 60 per cent rule was always followed.

Sources said the arrangement for Beatrice and Eugenie was put in place during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, who was very fond of her granddaughters, and the King had agreed to honour it.

They stressed, however, that all financial matters are kept under regular review.

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, sources have also insisted, is highly unlikely to ever see a penny of his potential compensation, because the cost of repairs needed on dilapidated Royal Lodge since his eviction would swallow up anything owed to him. 

Any rental from subletting three accompanying cottages to staff was to cover maintenance and running costs only, not to generate a profit for him, it is understood.

But the NAO said these figures had not been disclosed to them, so there is no way of independently verifying this. 

Prince and Princess Michael of Kent – dubbed the ‘Rent-a-Kents’ in their heyday for famously ‘going anywhere for a hot meal’ – benefit from a similar deal, despite a huge public outcry over their living arrangements in the early 2000s.

They were originally gifted the use of Apartment 10 at Kensington Palace as a wedding present in 1978. 

For decades, they paid only a nominal £69 per week (about £3,600 a year) for utilities and maintenance.

When this became public, it was announced they would henceforth pay £120,000-a-year market value for the property, which would be personally covered by Queen Elizabeth until 2010 because they did not undertake official duties and received no taxpayer-funded income. 

What was not disclosed until now is that she subsequently continued the agreement and the King has privately honoured his mother’s commitment to the couple, who are both in their 80s and not in good health.

The NAO has looked at two organisations – The Crown Estate (TCE) and The Royal Household, both of which have arrangements with the Royal Family regarding their homes.

TCE, which manages a £13.4billion portfolio including almost 2,500 properties nationally, is a public corporation that operates independently from government to maintain and enhance property and land assets of behalf of the Crown.

It is required to achieve ‘the best price in the circumstances when letting or selling properties, including those let to members of the Royal Family’.

The Royal Household, meanwhile, directly supports members of the Royal Family and maintains the Occupied Royal Palaces (including Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace and Kensington Palace) through the Sovereign Grant, the annual pot of funding provided by the UK government to the monarch to cover the expenses of royal duties, staff costs and the maintenance of royal residences.

It manages 255 properties which are lived in by members of the Royal Family, their households and staff, as well as private tenants.

The late Queen’s cousin, Princess Alexandra, 89, rents her home, Thatched House Lodge at Richmond, from the Crown Estate through a trust, which can offer inheritance advantages. 

In 1995, it paid £670,000 for a second lease on the Grade II-listed, six-bedroom property until 2144.

It also pays an annual ground rent of just £1,500 for the unique 17th Century home in a prime part of south-west London, which would be worth tens of millions of pounds if sold. 

Her daughter, Marina Ogilvy, has an assured shorthold tenancy on a three-bed cottage on the Windsor Estate, for which she pays £17,436-a-year rent.

Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice (pictured together at Ascot in 2024) have their own careers, high-flying husbands and multi-million-pound homes elsewhere – and are now certain to face questions about why they could not pay their own way

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: ‘We are grateful to the National Audit Office for this report, which is in line with The Royal Household’s commitment to transparency.

‘We hope that the findings will help correct, clarify or contextualise a number of points regarding royal properties. 

‘As the report notes, arrangements for properties managed by the Royal Household vary based on a number of factors to ensure residences are filled appropriately, depending on their location, tenants and purpose.’

A spokesman for the Crown Estate said: ‘The Crown Estate welcomes the National Audit Office’s review which confirms its leases with members of the Royal Family were agreed in line with independent, professional advice and open market valuations.’

New York City’s luxury establishments have unveiled some astonishing offerings for those eager to indulge in the World Cup experience.

The Mark Hotel, situated in the Upper East Side, presents an exclusive six-day package for six guests, featuring a stay in their lavish penthouse suite, access to a private rooftop, and highly sought-after tickets to the World Cup finals.

This extravagant package is priced at $1 million, though daily caviar and martini services come as extra options.

The rooftop provides stunning views of Central Park, setting the stage for guests to dream about their journey to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Impressively, the package also includes helicopter transportation to and from the match.

In addition, guests can enjoy a cruise around New York Harbor aboard the Mark’s 70-foot sailboat, with gourmet catering by the renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The experience is rounded out by 24-hour butler service and an on-call massage therapist, perfect for unwinding after encountering the hefty price tag.

“Boldly lavish yet deeply discreet, the Mark Penthouse World Cup Package offers a once-in-a-lifetime way to experience the world’s greatest sporting event through the lens of New York’s most iconic hotel,” according to the Mark’s website.

For a more intimate, but still ultra-luxury experience, the Peninsula in Midtown is offering a five-day stay with two tickets to the final match for a cool half million dollars.

Perks include chauffeur rides to the game, personalized World Cup memorabilia and more.

“This package allows lovers of the World Soccer Finals Championship to indulge in the best of the city, alongside exclusive access to tickets,” the Peninsula boasted.

At relatively bargain-basement prices, the Gansevoort in the Meatpacking District is offering up its “ultimate football suite” in a penthouse duplex plus two “premium” tickets to see England vs. Panama on June 27 – all for just $30,000.

There are helicopter rides to MetLife stadium, too, natch.

Along with fancy snacks like Petrossian caviar, the package comes with “a next-day recovery massage or facial with Maison Sisley,” according to the hip hotel.

If you prefer to avoid throngs of sweaty fans, you can buy out Le Jardin Sur Madison, a private rooftop event and dining space on the 28th floor of One Madison Avenue, starting at $100,000.

Featuring fancy fare from top chef Daniel Boulud’s team, generous hosts can use the space for a seated dinner for 50 people or a cocktail-style reception for 300. The venue overlooking Madison Square Park has two 98-inch TVs to take in a game.

Fine dining establishments are also getting in on the action. Benjamin Steakhouse in Midtown is offering a $5,000 match-day experience with a magnum of Cristal and a 500-gram caviar service “dramatically presented inside a custom glass soccer ball.”

In the Hamptons, Greek eatery Calissa is charging $50,000 for a private table for eight in front of their giant 12-foot TV screen. The price tag covers luxury champagne and a gift package from upscale pot brands Charlie Fox and Ruby Farms.

Rio de Janeiro-based star chef Rafa Costa e Silva of Lasai is coming to the Big Apple for a two-night pop-up with fellow maestro Franco Sampogna of the Michelin-starred Frevo in Greenwich Village. To celebrate Team Brazil, they’re offering a 13-course, $395-a-head tasting menu, with extra for vino. Expect flavors like heart of palm, cassava, chayote, guava and cashew, along with fresh seafood.

There are also plenty of options for soccer lovers on a budget.

Some 600 restaurants have already partnered with NYC Tourism + Conventions to offer $26 World Cup specials.

They include Harlem’s Red Rooster, downtown’s White Horse Tavern, Morgan’s Brooklyn Barbecue, La Baraka in Queens and Staten Island’s Kills Boro Brewery.

Morgan’s is offering its distinctive, four-hour-long-smoked chicken wings, plus their signature Texas Two-Step, a whiskey with homemade, unsweetened iced tea.

Each order at participating restaurants comes with a collectible 24-oz. Reusable cup, one for each of the five boroughs.

“It’s like Restaurant Week lite,” said Morgan’s owner Mathew Glazier.

Ainslie Bowery in Soho spent around $100,000 to build out an outdoor “street dining park” to watch games including the NBA Finals, said Sergio Riva, a co-owner of South Village Hospitality. The outdoor area features custom steel structures, artificial turf floors, an outdoor bar and high top tables for game-day crowds.

“The goal is to create an immersive atmosphere where fans can gather, celebrate and experience the energy of New York sports and the world’s biggest soccer tournament together,” Riva said.

“With the Knicks making a deep playoff push and the FIFA World Cup, the excitement in New York is unprecedented,” Riva said.  

We hear… that Taste of Summer in Central Park at the Bethseda Terrace was a hit Wednesday.

The 25-year-plus summer tradition featured 38 restaurants with participating chefs including Chef Michael Lomonaco of Brasserie Cognac, Chef Rafael of The Ribben, Chef Paul Donnelly of Soso’s, Chef Bill Peet of Tavern on the Green, Chef Adam Fiscus of Central Park Boathouse, Chef Romeo Regalli of Ras Plant Based and Chef Peter Jin of Beefbar NYC.

More than 850 people attended to benefit the Central Park Conservancy — and this summer, attendees were as excited by the Knicks, gathering by a large screen to watch the game, as they were by the food.

Event chairs were Aileen and Chris Bruner, Pakhi and David Eder, and Mo Sakurai and Harry Taylor, along with honorary chairs Laurie and Jay Mandelbaum, Gillian and Sylvester Miniter, and Melissa Vail and Norman C. Selby. More than $1.4 million was raised. 

We hear… that Chef Eyal Shani continues to expand in New York, Miami and Los Angeles. 

Miznon opened an outpost at Barclays Center in May. That’s in addition to Big Apple Miznon locations in Chelsea Market, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, Hudson Yards and The Hugh in Midtown East. Miami is next.

Miznon is known for simple, viral dishes like a falafel burger, bag of green beans, chicken schnitzel pita and roasted cauliflower. 

Following the opening of Naked Tomato at Moxy South Beach, Shani will also be opening a 4,000-square-foot Naked Tomato at the Naftali Group’s latest residential project in Williamsburg later this year. Think of elevated diner basics “through the lens” of Israeli roadside cooking: Israeli-style skewers, seasonal salads, dips, and “fire-driven” shared plates.

That’s in addition to his NYC restaurants Shmoné, Shmoné Wine Bar, Malka in Dumbo and the Upper West Side, HaSalon, and Port Sa’id. 

Shani’s culinary empire now extends to more than 50 restaurants worldwide and includes the expansion of Malka, his kosher-style hotspot. Eyal has also partnered with Pagani Projects to create a flagship Miznon in Los Angeles on West Third in Beverly Grove, slated to open later this summer. 

We hear… that Dom Pérignon is partnering with Chef Reika Alexander to bring back the spirit of EN Japanese Brasserie through a free pop-up series this month in New York and Los Angeles. Alexander’s beloved West Village eatery, where city creatives dined for more than two decades, closed in December after its lease at 435 Hudson St. was not renewed. A new 5,000-square-foot eatery from Eleven Madison Park’s Daniel Humm is slated to take over the space. 

The pop-up will take place from June 12 to 14 at High Line Nine, with Alexander’s reimagined version of EN’s famed black cod. It will then move to LA from June 25 to 26 at James Fuentes Gallery. The sit-down experience showcases Vintage 2017, Plénitude 2 2008 and Rosé Vintage 2010 — alongside a live mochi-making performance. The experience is free, via a now-closed online registration process, with 150 seats in New York and 100 seats in LA. 

“This collaboration with Dom Pérignon feels so meaningful to me because, for a few nights, we get to bring back a feeling that so many people thought New York had lost,” said Alexander, who is now based in Paris.

“EN was never designed to be fashionable. It was built to feel human. Over time, it became this strange and beautiful intersection of the city artists, musicians, downtown kids, collectors, actors and people eating alone at the bar, all sharing the same emotional space,” she added.

“When the restaurant closed, I realized people weren’t mourning a dining room, they were mourning a feeling.”

The Trump administration has initiated a federal investigation into the security conditions of Atlanta’s transit system following two recent stabbing incidents, including the fatal attack on the elderly woman aboard a MARTA train.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the Federal Transit Administration would conduct an audit of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) to assess both worker and passenger safety. Officials highlighted concerning rates of violent occurrences within the transit network.

“I want ANSWERS from Atlanta. The number of assaults, robberies, and rapes on MARTA’s trains is MORE THAN THREE TIMES the national average,” Duffy stated in a post on X this Thursday.

This investigation comes in the wake of the murder of Margaret Swan, a great-grandmother who was brutally stabbed multiple times on an Atlanta train, allegedly by a homeless individual.

John Elijah Matthews faces a federal charge of committing an act of violence causing death on a mass transportation system, after he allegedly murdered 66-year-old Margaret Swan aboard a Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) train. (@SecDuffy/X)

“Margaret’s family DESERVES ACCOUNTABILITY. No one should be forced to fear for their safety on public transit,” Duffy said.

In a June 3 letter to MARTA Interim CEO Jonathan Hunt, the FTA said the audit will examine whether the agency has properly implemented its safety plan, including measures to prevent assaults on transit workers and protect passengers.

The agency said MARTA reported one of only two transit-worker assault fatalities nationwide in fiscal year 2025 and that its rate of serious personal-security incidents has been nearly twice the national average since fiscal year 2024.

The federal review will also scrutinize MARTA’s plans to reduce crime and fare evasion, as well as how it has spent federal and other funds meant to improve security for passengers and workers.

Duffy said that MARTA has 15 days to turn over safety plans, assault reports, training records and other documents requested by investigators.

The probe follows two stabbing attacks on MARTA property, including the fatal attack on the 66-year-old woman and another stabbing days earlier at a station.

In the recent Swan murder on Saturday, John Elijah Matthews, 25, of Decatur, Georgia, was charged in a federal criminal complaint with committing an act of violence using a dangerous weapon with intent to cause death on a mass transportation system, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.

He is also charged locally with felony murder, according to Fulton County records.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche will determine whether the government will seek the death penalty if Matthews is convicted, prosecutors said.

Surveillance footage captured the unprovoked attack inside a moving train car before MARTA police officers arrested the armed suspect on the station platform. (MARTA)

The deadly attack unfolded around 11:25 a.m. Saturday, May 30, while Swan was riding a northbound MARTA train from the Lakewood Station toward Oakland City Station, according to prosecutors and a Fulton County arrest warrant affidavit obtained by News Media.

The affidavit, sworn by MARTA Police Detective Douglas Burn, alleges Matthews boarded Train Car 134 at 11:24:59 a.m., wearing glasses, an orange T-shirt with writing on the front, dark gray pants, white socks and black slides. Swan had boarded the same train car minutes earlier, at 11:21:46 a.m., and was sitting alone, according to the affidavit.

Surveillance video allegedly showed Matthews walk to the side of the train where Swan was seated and stand near her.

At 11:25:18 a.m., he allegedly moved closer and stood just to her right. Eight seconds later, at 11:25:26 a.m., he allegedly reached into his right front pants pocket, pulled out a knife and opened it, the affidavit states.

At 11:25:32 a.m., Matthews allegedly sliced Swan’s throat with his right hand while holding her head, according to the affidavit. Swan screamed and tried to get up from her seat, but Matthews allegedly held onto her right arm and stabbed her approximately 18 to 20 times, the affidavit says.

Federal prosecutors said surveillance video showed Matthews stabbing Swan approximately 18 to 20 times in the chest and neck area as she tried to defend herself.

Other passengers fled and called for help, and at least one passenger confirmed Swan had no interaction with Matthews before the attack, prosecutors said.

The affidavit says Matthews then threw Swan to the floor and stood near her until the train arrived at Oakland City Station at 11:27:05 a.m.

John Elijah Matthews allegedly began the attack by cutting the throat of the victim, identified as Margaret Swan, just seconds after he walked up next to where she was sitting on a train approaching the Oakland City MARTA station. (Fulton County Sheriff’s Office)

He then allegedly exited the train with the knife in his right hand and walked toward the north end of the platform.

MARTA police officers arrived moments later and rushed to apprehend him, according to the affidavit.

Bolton, who was patrolling the Oakland City Station concourse, heard a commotion on the platform and saw patrons pointing toward Matthews, according to the affidavit.

Bolton allegedly saw Matthews holding a knife near the north end of the platform and ordered him to turn over. Matthews allegedly did not comply and was taken into custody after another officer arrived, the affidavit says.

Prosecutors said Matthews was allegedly found with a bloody folding knife and had blood on his clothes. The affidavit says that Matthews “did not have an address currently” and that he advised he did not have a phone number currently.

First responders attempted emergency medical aid, but Swan was pronounced dead at the scene.

The affidavit says the Fulton County Medical Examiner arrived at the scene at 1:45 p.m. and recorded Swan’s time of death as 2 p.m.

News Media has reached out to MARTA and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office for additional information.

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The Trump administration has finally addressed the tragic killing of British teenager Henry Nowak, breaking its previous silence on the matter.

Eighteen-year-old Nowak was fatally wounded in Southampton last December and was handcuffed by UK police as he lay dying from stab wounds.

His attacker, 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa, used a ceremonial dagger—an item that Sikh adult men are religiously required to carry. At the scene, Digwa falsely accused others of racial discrimination against him.

In a social media statement, the State Department remarked, “The rise of ideological indoctrination and biased policing are clear indicators of societal decline. These issues must be addressed and rejected throughout the Western world.”

“The United States extends its deepest condolences to the family of Henry Nowak and to the people of the United Kingdom during this difficult period,” the statement concluded.

It was the first time the Trump administration commented on the politically explosive case from across the pond.  

Stomach-churning police body cam footage of the incident was recently released, showing Mr Nowak pleading with police that he had been stabbed.

‘I don’t think you have, mate,’ one of the officers said as the teen was being handcuffed. 

Henry Nowak, 18, who was murdered by Vickrum Digwa, 23. The State Department slammed the UK’s ‘two-tiered policing system’ in a statement released on Thursday

Body camera footage from the scene shows police handcuffing Mr Nowak as he bled out

Digwa can also be seen in the footage standing above Mr Nowak, who told the authorities he had been stabbed and could not breathe 

The 18-year-old could be heard telling authorities that he couldn’t breathe during the incident, which some online have likened to the death of George Floyd. 

A minute or so after handcuffing Mr Nowak, the authorities realised the extent of his injuries and began to provide medical care. 

On Monday, Digwa was sentenced to life in prison.  

Mr Nowak’s family was invited to meet with Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday at 10 Downing Street.

Starmer has accused Elon Musk of ‘trying to whip up division’ in Britain over the murder. 

Musk has repeatedly posted about the tragedy in the past week. 

‘Send the video to everyone you know showing how heinously Nowak was treated by the police in his dying moments and how the police cravenly kowtowed to his murderer,’ Musk wrote on Tuesday. 

‘Legacy mainstream media, same ones who wrote about George Floyd millions of times, are dead silent about Nowak.’

Vickrum Digwa was sentenced to life in prison on June 1, 2026, over the killing of Henry Nowak

The ceremonial Sikh knife used on Henry by Digwa

Nowak with his father, who gave a statement outside court after Digwa’s sentencing

Conservative figures in the UK argue that the murder is proof that police in Britain treat white people and ethnic minorities differently.

The State Department’s statement, citing the country’s ‘two-tiered policing,’ falls in line with those domestic criticisms.  

Protests have erupted in the UK over the murder, with hordes of activists taking to the streets demanding justice for Mr Nowak. 

It comes after Mr Nowak’s bereft older sister shared a series of poignant tributes to her brother, including carefree footage of them dancing and singing together at home.

Olivia Nowak, 22, said her younger sibling will be ‘forever 18’, writing in a moving message online: ‘I will miss and love you forever.’

Olivia created two TikTok tributes to her younger brother in the aftermath of his murder. Both have since gone viral following Digwa’s sentencing this week.

The first montage, made just ten days after Mr Nowak’s death in December 2025, is set to Coldplay’s hit Yellow.

The 53-second clip, captioned ‘forever 18 brother x’, shows a happy, enthusiastic and much-loved young man full of life at the heart of his family.

Mr Nowak, one of four siblings, grew up in Essex before moving to Southampton for university, where he died. The teenager is seen dancing at home and at family events, including on the dancefloor at a wedding.

He is most often shown alongside his beloved sister Olivia, dancing together in the bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen of their family home in Chafford Hundred.

The pair also worked part-time at their local Morrisons, with Olivia sharing several clips of them in uniform enjoying light-hearted moments during their shifts.

But tragically there are also images of flowers and other tributes left after he was stabbed to death.

Olivia shared a further tribute featuring pictures of the two together, including one of them holding hands.

In another, Mr Nowak smiles broadly with his arm around his sister while on holiday.

Olivia wrote: ‘Never felt pain like this. Forever my best friend. Fly high my angel brother.’

The gallery is set to Talking To The Moon by Bruno Mars, a song about longing to speak to someone who is no longer there. Olivia and Mr Nowak were clearly incredibly close.

At the end of Digwa’s trial, she outlined the profound shock and trauma of learning of her brother’s death, as well as the anguish surrounding his identification and funeral. Olivia also spoke of facing milestones without him, including his birthday, Christmas and other family occasions.

Turning to face Digwa in the dock, she said: ‘If you had known Henry, you would never have hurt him.’

Olivia, who was 21 when her brother died, added: ‘My brother had my whole heart. He was a part of me, and I lost a part of myself when he died.’