Kate and William (inset), Kensington Palace
Andrew Holt/Getty; Inset: REX USA
The price, after $1.6 million was spent last year, has increased by another $5 million, it has been claimed, bringing the total so far to $6.6 million. An official report will be announced Wednesday.
Shouldering the bill is the U.K taxpayer, via what is known as the Sovereign Grant, though the family, and in large part, Prince Charles, were responsible for the fixtures and furnishings in the living section of the compound.
The apartment itself is, in fact, a four-story home, with up to 30 rooms, including nine bathrooms – furnishings for which Kate shopped for personally, it is believed.
The royal family is also privately paying for the improvements being carried out at the couple's country home, Anmer Hall on Queen Elizabeth's Sandringham estate. The 10-bedroom country mansion, complete with tennis court and swimming pool, was a gift from the Queen, 88.
Constructing new internal areas, including the kitchen and Prince George's nursery (requiring the ripping out of asbestos, a new roof and modernizing the wiring and plumbing), has increased the cost at Kensington Palace. Because it is a historic building, stringent guidelines must be adhered to in the renovations.
Aides stress that Apartment 1a will be their official home for many years to come and had to be converted from offices into a suitable home. Moreover, it had not been renovated for at least 50 years, the last extensive update being in 1963.
A spokesman for the couple confirms, "This is the Duke and Duchess's one and only official residence. It is here that they plan to stay for many, many years to come." He added, "They were also at pains to ensure that the specification is not extravagant."
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