One of the lesser-known homes in the royal portfolio is Bagshot Park which has been home to Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex since they married in 1999. The 57-room home, that is set within 87 acres of land, is estimated to be worth £30m.
Because it was just 11 miles from Windsor Castle it meant that the Wessex family were close to the Queen and Prince Philip. In an interview with Sky News Sophie said it meant their children, Lady Louise and Viscount Severn, would have tea with their grandparents on a regular basis.
The Prince and Princess of Wales also now live nearby at Adelaide Cottage, in the grounds of Windsor, with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. William and Kate on Tuesday made their first visit to Wales since taking on their new titles.
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Bagshot was listed Grade II as a building of special architectural or historic interest in 1976. The main house was originally a series of small lodges designed for King Charles I.
King William IV lived there until 1816 when it was then used by Prince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester, nephew of King George III. After its reconstruction in 1879 the property was owned by Queen Victoria’s third son Prince Arthur.
With its red brick and stone dressings it is very much in Tudor gothic style. Side and rear extensions were added in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. and the landscaped grounds are also Grade II listed and boast a private lake and several stables.
The house was also used as a hospital in wartime for the Auxiliary Territorial Service originally. It was then used by the Royal Army Chaplains' Department as a church house and chaplains' depot until Sophie and Edward moved in.
In March 1998 the Mansion House at Bagshot Park, including a block of stables and Sunningdale Lodge, was leased by the Crown Estate to Prince Edward for 50 years. The Mansion House was renovated as a residence for the prince.
The renovation was partly funded by the Crown Estate and partly funded by Prince Edward. The National Audit Office (NAO) report on the transaction states that the final cost of renovations was £2.98m. The Crown Estate paid £1.6m and the estimated excess of £1.38m was paid by Prince Edward.
The prince rented it from the Crown Estate initially for £5,000 a year then after renovation rising to £90,000 a year subject to 15-year rent reviews. Prince Edward has extended his lease on the property to 150 years for £5m. When the royal couple allowed press into their home earlier this year a sense of the style of the property was revealed.
The countess invited BBC's Naga Munchetty for an interview in their home after the death of Prince Philip. One room was decorated with green striped upholstered chairs and a matching green carpet. It also features a gold-edged mirror above a stunning marble fireplace, multiple vintage sideboards, and luxury artwork. Bagshot Park is a private home so is not open to the public..
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