Prince William And Kate Pay Luxury Tax On New Home

The Prince and Princess of Wales have paid a rare stamp duty on their new dream home.

Prince William, 43, and Catherine, 44, moved their three children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 11 and Prince Louis, eight, into the mega-luxurious Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park last year.

The eight-bedroom property, estimated to be worth $33 million, will serve as the family’s forever home, with the royal couple securing a 20-year lease on the mansion at market rent.
Before they moved in, the couple reportedly paid £42,000 in stamp duty.

While stamp duty is a tax reserved for the purchase of a new property, in rare cases it can be charged for long-term or extravagant rentals – almost like a luxury tax.

William and Catherine plan to live in the sprawling Georgian mansion and adjoining gardens until at least 2045. The eight-bedroom, six-bathroom home is a considerable step up from their previous home, Adelaide Cottage.

Forest Lodge is located within the 2020-hectare Windsor Great Park and is part of the Crown Estate – the name for a collection of land that is neither publicly nor privately owned, but is the property of the sovereign of the day, much like Buckingham Palace.

Bought by the Crown Estate in 1829 when the Duke of Wellington was prime minister, it later became the residence of the Deputy Ranger of Windsor Great Park until 1937, when King Edward VIII decided he wanted his equerry to live there.

Photos from 2001 reveal the home has at least two reception rooms, each with marble fireplaces.

Both King Edward VIII and one of his predecessors King George IV were said to admire the home.