Tea, Titles & Tiaras: What the Royals Did This Week
Pop the kettle on, royal watchers this week’s brew comes extra strong. Between Prince Andrew’s peppercorn palace deal, William’s whispers of a title bonfire, and Trump allegedly fishing for gossip from Camilla, there’s plenty to sip (and maybe spill).
How do you solve a problem like Prince Andrew?
Apparently, with one peppercorn if demanded.
As Tom Sykes of The Royalist revealed, the Duke of York’s rent for his 30-room Windsor home, Royal Lodge, is quite literally “one peppercorn per year.” The detail emerged after lease documents were obtained by The Times, exposing the astonishing generosity of the Crown Estate’s arrangement.
When Andrew signed his 75-year lease in 2003, he paid £1 million upfront and spent another £7.5 million refurbishing the former home of the Queen Mother.
His “symbolic rent” was a medieval legal token, landlords once demanded something, anything, to make a contract binding. A peppercorn did the trick: technically real, practically worthless.
Two decades later, no one’s asked for it. Yet the revelation has reignited fury that Andrew still lives in luxury on royal land while no longer a working royal. Critics say the arrangement makes a mockery of accountability, though friends insist he’s “been treated monstrously” and remains innocent of any crime.
Still, as The Royalist noted, Andrew’s shooting invitations remain steady, his pheasant season is booked, and he’s unlikely to be moving into Frogmore Cottage anytime soon.
Still Standing: Beatrice and Eugenie weather the York Storm
With their father back in the headlines, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have found themselves in a familiar royal dilemma, how to show loyalty without getting dragged into the mess.
Both sisters were quietly seen at the King’s recent family lunch at Buckingham Palace, a subtle show of unity amid the turbulence. It’s been noted by royal watchers that their presence, without their parents, signalled both solidarity with the monarch and a desire to keep some distance from their father’s controversy.
For now, their titles remain safe, with many outlets reporting that the King has no intention of touching them. But with William’s reformist vision of a “slimmer monarchy” on the horizon, their future as titled royals is far from guaranteed. They’re not working members of the Firm, and as non-senior royals, they already fund their own lives, Beatrice in finance and tech, Eugenie through charity and art.
It’s a balancing act they’ve learned to master. They keep up appearances at royal events but rarely speak publicly about family matters. Behind palace walls, they’re said to remain well liked, diligent, discreet, and drama-free, everything the institution needs right now.
Still, the shadow of their father’s scandal lingers, and palace aides quietly acknowledge it complicates their prospects. The sisters are walking a tightrope lined with protocol and perception: present but not prominent, visible enough to remind the public of royal continuity, but never so visible that they invite comparison to Andrew.
If resilience were a royal title, these two would have earned it long ago.
William’s Great Windsor Title Slashing
Meanwhile, up the line of succession, Prince William is reportedly planning a royal housecleaning that could make even Marie Kondo nervous.
According to The Royalist, William intends to use new Letters Patent when he becomes king to strip non-working royals of their princely styles, a move that could formally affect Andrew, Harry and Meghan, and even Archie and Lilibet. The goal is a leaner, duty-first monarchy that reflects modern expectations.
In a surprising twist, insiders say William might also “park” his own children’s titles until they reach adulthood, allowing George, Charlotte and Louis to decide for themselves whether they want royal lives or private ones. It’s a bold, Danish-inspired vision, he reportedly admires Queen Margrethe II, who famously trimmed her family’s titles in 2022.
For now, Charles seems content to tread softly, but William’s patience may not be so elastic. The next generation’s monarchy could look very different, fewer princes, more plain surnames, and a great deal less pomp.
Did Trump Really Ask Camilla for the Goss on Meghan?
Now for the week’s most eyebrow-raising tidbit. Multiple outlets, including The Royalist, claim Donald Trump once leaned in and asked Queen Camilla what she “really thought” of Meghan Markle.
Whether Camilla responded or simply smiled that famously polite smile remains a mystery, but the mental picture alone has sent royal circles into fits of laughter. Imagine the audacity: the world’s most talkative man seeking insider tea from Britain’s most discreet queen.
Meghan’s New Chapter: A Beauty Brand Fit for a Duchess
Speaking of Meghan, the California sun may soon shine on a Markle makeup line. Reports from The Times and Hello! suggest the Duchess of Sussex is quietly preparing to launch a beauty and skincare brand, blending her passion for wellness with business savvy.
It’s a natural next step for the former actress turned entrepreneur, and if true, it could give the Duchess her most glamorous rebrand yet, from royal outlier to beauty mogul. Move over, Estée Lauder; make way for Duchess Glow.
And for the final pour…
Another week, another mix of monarchy, mystery and mild absurdity. A prince who pays rent in peppercorns, an heir plotting reform, and a duchess potentially swapping crowns for contour.
And while the rest of us digest the latest Windsor headlines, King Charles and Queen Camilla are off to the Vatican for an audience with the Pope. Perhaps they’ll light a candle and say a small prayer for Andrew or at least repent on his behalf. After all, forgiveness may be divine, but a little celestial PR never hurts.