Inside Royal Family’s sprawling castles and lavish homes that are worth £13BILLION

IT’S a hard life when you own not one castle but a whole collection of them.

The Royal Family has a staggering £13billion property portfolio, including Buckingham Palace and number of other sprawling estates.

Their incredible properties actually fall into two categories – ones they privately own, and those that are owned by the Crown Estate.

The Crown Estate is owned by the current reigning monarchy, and the Queen doesn’t actually have any rights when it comes to the selling of properties.

Since the Sovereign Grant Act in 2011, the Queen does receive 25 per cent of the revenue to fund the royals’ official household and duties.

And then she has her private property portfolio, which is called the Duchy of Lancaster.

Prince Charles has the only other royal duchy, the Duchy of Cornwall, and this provides him with an independent income.

With such a vast collection of stunning houses, it certainly pays to be a royal.

Be prepared for some serious real estate envy, as here are the breathtaking homes the Royal Family can choose to use as private residences…

Crown Estate homes – owned by the Queen

Buckingham Palace, London

Perhaps the most famous of the royal pads, this landmark home is anything but modest.

It is the Queen and Prince Phillip’s official home, and millions flock to get a glimpse of it every year.

It boasts a staggering 52 bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms – not too shabby.

Windsor Castle, Windsor, England

Who can forget the magnificent location of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding on May 19?

Windsor Castle is one of the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and was built in the 11th century after the Norman invasion of England.

It has been the family home of British kings and queens for almost 1,000 years.

Hillsborough Castle, County Down, Northern Ireland

When the Queen visits Northern Island, she stays at Hillsborough Castle, which has recently re-opened after a £20million renovation.

You can look round the elegant State Rooms still used by the royal family on a tour, or see the colourful garden grounds.

It also plays host to prominent visiting guests, including George W. Bush, when he was President in 2003.

Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland

The Queen’s official Scottish residence is the Palace of Holyroodhouse, which used to be a monastery when it was built in 1128.

You can look round the location all year round, and it is situated at the end of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.

According to medieval legend, the Abbey was created by David I of Scotland after seeing a vision of a stag.

Private homes – owned by the Queen

Balmoral Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Most people are aware of the Queen’s favourite holiday home, Balmoral Castle, as she usually flocks there every year.

It has been a royal residence since 1852 and much of the royal family – including Charles, Camilla, William, and Kate – join her and Prince Philip for their annual “summer break.”

The Royal residence has often been described as “the most beautiful place on Earth” and is often referred to as the Queen’s favourite home.

The Queen is often see riding horses or driving her beloved Range Rover over the estate’s rugged terrain.

The estate and its original castle were purchased privately by Prince Albert, consort to Queen Victoria, and remain the private property of the Royal Family.

The castle is classified by Historic Scotland as a category A listed building, and costs around £3 million annually to run.

As well as the main castle, there are 150 other buildings on the estate, including Birkhall, the estate of Prince Charles, Craigowan Lodge, and several other cottages.

Sandringham House, Norfolk, England

This home was privately purchased by Queen Victoria in 1892, and is now owned by the Queen.

The Queen hosts a traditional gathering every year at this Norfolk retreat, which includes presents and games on Christmas Eve.

On Christmas morning, they all go to a service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the estate.

Meghan Markle received her first invite last Christmas and spent her festivities with the family there.

Crown Estate home – owned by Prince William

Flat 1A, Kensington Palace, London, England

William and Kate live full-time in this swanky flat, along with their three kids, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

They moved into the flat in 2012, after it underwent a £4.5million refurbishment.

It features five reception rooms, three master bedrooms and additional dressing rooms, bathrooms and a gym – not your average London apartment.

The heart of the home is the new kitchen, where Kate and Will like to host their nearest and dearest, and cook “messy” pizza treats with George and Charlotte.

The home has poignant links for Prince William, as Princess Diana lived there until her death.

Kate and William previously lived in Nottingham Cottage, also located in Kensington Palace grounds.

Private home – owned by Prince William

Anmer Hall, Sandringham Estate, Norfolk, England

William and Kate are still regular visitors to their country retreat Anmer Hall, where the Prince enjoys shooting.

This country pad was given as a wedding present to the couple from the Queen in 2011, and it is where they lived with Prince George and Princess Charlotte while Prince William was working as a pilot for the regional air ambulance.

The family are thought to thrive on visits to Anmer because it means they are away from prying eyes.

Crown Estate home – owned by Prince Harry

Nottingham Cottage, Kensington Palace, London, England

When big brother Prince William moved out of the two-bedroom Nottingham Cottage and into Flat 1A in 2012, Prince Harry moved in.

It has reception rooms designed by Sir Christopher Wren and a small garden area which Harry added a hammock to when he arrived.

Previously, Prince Charles’s youngest son had been living with his dad at Clarence House.

Prince Harry actually popped the question to now-wife Meghan Markle in the cottage over a roast chicken, and she moved in last November when they announced their engagement.

Crown Estate home – owned by Prince Charles

Clarence House, London, England

This is the official home of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, and where Prince Harry used to live.

The historic building was built between 1825 and 1827 and it was given an interior makeover when the Prince of Wales moved in in 2003.

It was previously home to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother for almost five decades.

Private homes – owned by Prince Charles

Highgrove House, Gloucestershire, England

The country retreat is owned by the second royal duchy, the Duchy of Cornwall, which provides a lot of Prince Charles’s income.

They enjoy the property due to its easy access to London, and the particular highlight for many are its gardens.

Around 30,000 people flock each year to wander round and see the grounds.

Birkhall, Balmoral, Scotland

This private cottage is situated on the Balmoral Estate and has fond memories for Prince Charles.

After tying the knot with Camilla in 2005, the pair spent their honeymoon here.

It’s also where the family spend a lot of their holidays when they are visiting Scotland.

Tamarisk, Isles of Scilly

The entire Isles of Scilly are owned by the Duchy of Cornwall – and it is certainly a breathtaking location.

Prince Charles owns a private pad, Tamarisk House, on the main island of St Mary’s, but this isn’t the only property.

He always owns around a third of the residental buildings that are spread across the five picturesque islands.

Llwynywermod, Wales

When they are in Wales, the couple stay at their 192-acre private estate, Llwynywermod.

This is located just outside of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

If you are looking to experience life as a royal, this might be your way in, as you can rent it out a number of the properties on the estate, including their North Range pad from just £695 for seven nights, sleeping six.

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