On the same the British public learnt Meghan Markle and Prince Harry had spent $4.4 million of the taxpayer’s money on renovating their cosy home of Frogmore Cottage, it was also revealed that Prince Charles and wife Camilla Parker Bowles, spent a significantly smaller sum in order to refurbish their home on the Scilly Isles.
WATCH! The real reason Meghan and Harry moved to Frogmore Cottage!
The Prince of Wales landed hereditary estate published its own financial report on Tuesday, which detailed the refurbishment of Myrtle Cottage on the Isles of Scilly.
Within the report, it was revealed the Duchy of Cornwall carried out a “major refurbishment” on the new cottage for £340,000.
Annual accounts for the Duchy were released on the same day as the Sovereign Grant figures, which showed the cost to the taxpayer of renovating the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Frogmore Cottage came to £2.4 million, much to the shock and horror for many Brits.
Myrtle Cottage on St Agnes was underpinned, insulated, repointed, rewired, replumbed and dry-lined, had a new floor laid and was given a new kitchen, bathroom and Cornish Trevillet slate roof for £340,000.
Graham Smith, from Republic which campaigns for an elected head of state, heavily criticised Queen Elizabeth as well as both Charles and Camilla and Meghan and Harry, saying of the comparison of the two cottages: “I think it’s very telling that when it’s their own home, there’s no expense spared.
“They’re very shrewd when it comes to business, particularly the Duchy.
“This should be an investment which helps the local community on the Isles of Scilly which it certainly won’t because money keeps on going off the islands and never comes back.”
The Duchy has defended the extravagant spend, by highlighting the cottage will be given to a local to live in.
The Duchy report said: “The building had previously been used as seasonal holiday accommodation, but after this comprehensive refurbishment it was able to be let to a local St Agnes family from this off-island community, where housing is much in demand.”
Janet Stewart, who now lives in the cottage, said in the report that she had waited 11 years for a family house to be available, and moved in last August.
The work was part of the Duchy’s commitment to add to the permanent housing stock on St Agnes.
“After living with my parents for all that time, it has been amazing to have so much more space,” Ms Stewart said.
“The children have a bedroom each, and we have been able to unpack belongings we haven’t seen in a decade.
“Being able to live at Myrtle Cottage has meant that we can continue living on the island for the long term.”
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