Prince William has told his father he will have to pay to stay as a guest at his beloved Welsh holiday home – and must move all of his belongings out of the property, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
The King is said to be ‘miffed’ after William, the new Prince of Wales, told his father that he plans to rent out the picturesque cottage which Charles bought for £1.2 million in 2007 and had lovingly restored.
The property, Llwynywermod, on the outskirts of the Brecon Beacons National Park, was bought through the Duchy of Cornwall, which William took over following the late Queen’s death last year.
Charles spent a week or two at Llwynywermod each summer, but William has not renewed his father’s lease.
After September, it will be available for hire as a holiday home – much to the King’s ‘disappointment’, according to an insider. It means Charles must move his belongings and personal effects out.
The King is said to be ‘miffed’ after William, the new Prince of Wales, told his father that he plans to rent out the picturesque cottage (pictured) which Charles bought for £1.2 million in 2007
The property, Llwynywermod, on the outskirts of the Brecon Beacons National Park, was bought through the Duchy of Cornwall, which William (pictured) took over following the late Queen’s death last year
The three-bedroom house includes a barn attached to the main house, which was renovated using traditional techniques, and is set in 192 acres of rolling countryside.
Llwynywermod will be marketed to holidaymakers after September. Three nearby properties owned by the Duchy are already let out. The three-bedroom North Range cottage is priced at £2,400 a week. Charles had restored Llwynywermod with the help of architect Craig Hamilton.
Interiors were done by the Queen’s sister, Annabel Elliot, in an elegant but rustic style. The King, Queen and Elliot invested a lot of time and energy into the renovation of the cottage, which has many thoughtful touches.
In the renovated barn which now serves as a dining room for up to 16 guests, a huge new east window was designed by Hamilton. There is even attention to detail on the floor, with custom-made carpets based on an 18th Century Welsh blanket design.
In line with the King’s wishes that the building is sustainable, a wood-chip boiler provides heating and hot water to the entire estate. Outside there is storage for rainwater.
The King has chosen roses, jasmine and honeysuckle for the gardens along with six maple trees which lined the aisle at Kate and William’s 2011 wedding in Westminster Abbey and were since replanted in the grounds.
After September, it will be available for hire as a holiday home – much to the King’s ‘disappointment’, according to an insider
In line with the King’s wishes that the building is sustainable, a wood-chip boiler provides heating and hot water to the entire estate
Interiors were done by the Queen’s sister, Annabel Elliot, in an elegant but rustic style. Pictured: The main reception room
The King, Queen and Elliot invested a lot of time and energy into the renovation of the cottage, which has many thoughtful touches. Pictured: The dining hall
There is even attention to detail on the floor, with custom-made carpets based on an 18th Century Welsh blanket design
Such is his affinity for the place, the King agreed to continue to pay for the upkeep of the property, including the cost of hiring the two topiary experts to maintain the manicured trees and shrubs in the grounds.
Last night, a Royal source said: ‘The King was quite miffed but that was the deal. It means he can continue to stay there but he will pay rent to the Duchy and the rest of the time it will be rented out.’
‘The King has agreed to pay for the topiary upkeep as he doesn’t want to see all the good work in the grounds go to waste.’
The Mail on Sunday revealed last month that William wants to spend more time in Wales staying in B&Bs and holiday rentals rather than any permanent Royal residence.
Such is his affinity for the place, the King agreed to continue to pay for the upkeep of the property. Pictured: The guest bedroom
Pictured: The main reception
Palace sources said the Prince and Princess want to support the tourist economy by renting cottages and rooms.
In April, the couple visited the Bluebell Inn in the hamlet of Glangrwyney, Brecon Beacons, for dinner with friends, then retired to £1,000-a-night Duffryn Mawr country house.
Rental website Airbnb calls it a ‘beautifully renovated large country house’ sleeping 16.
Kimberley Fry, who owns Duffryn Mawr and the Bluebell, said: ‘They walked in just like locals.
‘They had a reservation and we kept it quiet, but the locals in the pub were very surprised to see them. We felt very privileged to have them here.
‘We charged the going rate, as we do for everyone.’
