Prince Charles charges Middletons £3,000 a week to let them stay at his Cornish holiday home

By Rebecca English

Prince Charles charged the Middletons £3,000 to stay at Restormel Manor


Prince Charles pocketed £3,000 from prospective daughter-in-law Kate Middleton and her family for staying at one of his holiday homes over Christmas.
The Middletons spent several days at historic Restormel Manor in Cornwall over the festive season, which boasts its own heated swimming pool and tennis courts.

The nine bedroom, 500-year-old property, which is situated in unspoilt countryside at the head of the beautiful Fowey valley, is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, which funds Charles's public, charitable and private activities.

Last year the prince's income from the Duchy amounted to a staggering £16.45 million thanks to judicious investments and increased property and land rental fees.

But the prince did not attempt to pull any strings for Miss Middleton, who has been dating his son, Prince William, for seven years.

Instead of waiving the fee, Kate and her family - including parents, Carole and Michael, sister Pippa and brother James - forked out the full winter rate for the property, which is around £3,000 for a week.

Sources said the family were happy to pay and 'wouldn't have dreamed of asking for a discount'.

'The Middletons paid for their stay like anyone else booking a holiday there,' the source said.

William, who frequently joins the Middletons on their family holidays, was not present.


Restormel Manor: The nine bedroom, 500-year-old property is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, which funds Charles's public, charitable and private activities


The manor also boasts three sitting rooms and a boot room, an indoor heated swimming pool, games room and outdoor play area


He was with the rest of the Royal Family at Sandringham but left after Boxing Day to fly up to Scotland to celebrate New Year with Kate and his father.

The family did, however, chose the property on the prince's recommendation


Kate Middleton made good use of the property's tennis courts


William has stayed in the house, a mile from the medieval village of Lostwithiel, previously with friends, including Kate and his brother, Prince Harry.

Clarence House declined to comment yesterday but sources pointed out that as the Duchy was independently managed, Charles would have no say in who rented its properties and how much they paid.

Restormel Manor is described as 'one of the most historic and cherished houses' owned by the Duchy of Cornwall.

It was recently refurbished in a clever mix of period and contemporary style and now sleeps up to 18 people.

It has nine bedrooms, three sitting rooms and a boot room, an indoor heated swimming pool, games room and outdoor play area.

The property's heating and hot water are supplied from a wood chip boiler and electricity is only provided from renewable sources, in line with Charles's green credentials.

It also has its own tennis court which was used extensively by Miss Middleton and her family during their stay.

Kate is a particularly talented player.

William, who recently returned from his first official tour to New Zealand and Australia on behalf of the Queen, was this week back at RAF Valley in Anglesey continuing his training to become an RAF Search and Rescue pilot.

Speculation continues that he and Kate will finally announce their engagement this year.




source : dailymail