Princess Beatrice, 38, has a Cotswolds home which she shares with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and their two daughters, Sienna and Athena, which is also often frequented by Edoardo's son, Wolfie. This is their countryside base for high days and holidays, but for school purposes the family reside in London. They have use of a St James's Palace home that's rarely revealed to the public, but did you know that the historical building has a rather heartbreaking past?
Historically, it's not uncommon for big buildings like palaces have been used as hospitals when required, but St James's Palace in London, in fact, started off as one. It once was a place where women with leprosy were kept. The Royal Collection Trust website explains: "The Hospital of St James was founded in the 12th century to treat women with leprosy. There were several of these hospitals surrounding London at the time, chosen carefully for what was then an isolated location."
© Getty ImagesHistoric England explains that society had a mixed reaction to lepers at the time. "Reaction to the disease was complicated. Some people believed it was a punishment for sin, but others saw the suffering of lepers as similar to the suffering of Christ. Because lepers were enduring purgatory on earth, they would go directly to heaven when they died, and were therefore closer to God than other people."
In 1531, King Henry VIII acquired the hospital land, demolished what was there and built the red-brick Tudor residence we know today. A major fire in 1809 changed the trajectory of the palace as it then fell out of favour as being the main place for a monarch to live. Rather than rebuilding the residential wings fully, George III lived at Buckingham House (later Buckingham Palace) instead.
Princess Beatrice to lose her royal home?
Princess Anne also has a base inside the palace walls for when she's required to stay in London, away from the Gloucestershire home, Gatcombe Park. Anne is afforded her residence as "grace and favour" accommodation because she is a working royal, but Princess Beatrice is not, and therefore rent is required. Beatrice and her sister's means of retaining their homes has come into question in recent months. This follows the controversy surrounding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and his "peppercorn" rent at Royal Lodge in Windsor.
© Getty ImagesAccording to The Times Andrew has struck a deal with King Charles to allow his daughters to stay within palace walls, even after he was banished to the Sandringham Estate to live.
