A quaint, ivy-covered farmhouse nestled in the rolling Welsh countryside, where sheep outnumber people and the air smells of roses and rebellion. This is Llwynywermod, a £1.2 million estate that’s been King Charles III’s personal sanctuary for years—a place where he could swap crowns for gardening gloves and tend to his beloved jasmine vines. But hold onto your corgis, because Prince William, the new Duke of Cornwall and freshly minted landlord, has dropped a bombshell that’s got the royal family’s knickers in a twist. Starting this September, William is turning this regal retreat into a swanky holiday rental for tourists, priced at a cool £2,400 a week. And the kicker? Even his dad, the King of England, has to pony up rent if he wants to crash there. Oh, the audacity! Let’s unpack this deliciously dramatic tale of royal real estate, family feuds, and a prince with a business plan that’s raising eyebrows from Buckingham Palace to the Brecon Beacons.
A Royal Retreat Turned Airbnb Dream
Llwynywermod isn’t just any old countryside cottage—it’s a 192-acre slice of Welsh paradise, complete with a three-bedroom farmhouse, a converted barn that screams “rustic chic,” and enough sustainable charm to make any eco-warrior swoon. Charles bought it in 2007 through the Duchy of Cornwall, a sprawling estate that funds the heir to the throne. Back then, Charles was the Prince of Wales, pouring his heart (and a hefty chunk of change) into transforming this former coach house into a green oasis. Think locally sourced slate, lime plaster walls, and a wood-chip boiler that’s basically the royal equivalent of a compost bin. Charles even planted six maple trees from William and Kate’s 2011 wedding, because nothing says “sentimental” like repurposing matrimonial foliage.
For years, Llwynywermod was Charles and Camilla’s go-to spot for their Welsh adventures, especially during their annual summer tours or St. David’s Day festivities. They’d host artsy soirées with harpists and local musicians, charming the socks off nearby villagers in Myddfai. The King’s green thumb was legendary here—his roses and honeysuckle climbed the walls like they were auditioning for a Disney movie. But when Queen Elizabeth II passed in September 2022, the Duchy of Cornwall—and Llwynywermod—passed to William. And our boy Will didn’t waste time shaking things up.
William’s Big Landlord Energy
Enter Prince William, the royal who’s apparently been binge-watching Property Brothers in his spare time. As the new Prince of Wales, he’s inherited a £23 million-a-year income from the Duchy and a knack for making bold moves. His plan? Turn Llwynywermod into a holiday rental to boost the local tourism economy. Starting in September, anyone with £2,400 burning a hole in their pocket can live like a king—well, almost—for a week. The main farmhouse, with its Welsh furniture and cozy fireplaces, will be up for grabs when the royals aren’t using it. And by “royals,” we mean Charles, who’s now been politely informed that his days of freebie stays are over.
Yes, you read that right: William is charging his own father rent. Imagine the awkward family dinner where that conversation went down. “Pass the potatoes, Dad, and, uh, about that lease… you’re gonna need to Venmo me.” Sources say Charles is “miffed” and “disappointed,” and who can blame him? The man spent 40 years hunting for the perfect Welsh bolthole, only to have his son slap a “For Rent” sign on it. To add insult to injury, Charles has to move his personal belongings out—think royal photo frames and probably a few well-worn gardening hats—while William markets the place to holidaymakers. But in a classic Charles move, he’s agreed to keep paying for the estate’s topiary upkeep. Because if there’s one thing worse than paying rent to your kid, it’s letting your perfectly sculpted hedges go to seed.
The Family Feud We Didn’t See Coming
Now, let’s get to the juicy bit: is this just a savvy business move, or is there a royal rift brewing? William’s decision has tongues wagging, and not just because it’s hilarious to imagine King Charles III filling out a rental application. Some see it as a power play by the future king, flexing his authority over the Duchy and maybe even settling a score or two. After all, Charles has been known to micromanage his properties, and William might be ready to run things his way. Others think it’s a practical choice—William and Kate prefer staying in local B&Bs or hotels when they visit Wales, like their recent £1,000-a-night stay at Duffryn Mawr Country House. Why keep a permanent royal residence when you can support local businesses and dodge the upkeep costs?
But let’s not kid ourselves—this has all the makings of a tabloid soap opera. Picture Charles, sipping tea in Buckingham Palace, muttering, “I raised that boy, and now he’s my landlord?” Meanwhile, William’s probably updating the Llwynywermod Airbnb listing with buzzwords like “regal charm” and “fit for a king (literally).” The irony is that Charles, who’s spent decades championing sustainability, is now a tenant in his own eco-dream. And while he’s agreed to the deal, you can bet there’s a royal eye-roll or two behind closed doors.
Why Tourists Are Already Booking Flights
So, what’s the appeal of renting Llwynywermod? For starters, it’s a chance to live out your Downton Abbey fantasies with a side of royal bragging rights. The farmhouse is a masterclass in understated elegance—think dark wood furniture, Welsh textiles, and a dining barn that seats 16 (perfect for your next “I’m basically royalty” dinner party). The estate’s 192 acres offer stunning views of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, plus hiking trails and sheep-dotted fields that scream “authentic countryside.” And let’s not forget the royal touches: those wedding maples, Camilla’s sister’s interior design flair, and a custom carpet inspired by an 18th-century Welsh blanket. It’s like stepping into a Pinterest board curated by the monarchy.
At £2,400 a week, it’s not exactly budget-friendly, but it’s a steal compared to other Duchy rentals, like the three-bedroom North Range cottage on the estate, which already pulls in similar rates. Tourists are reportedly chomping at the bit to book, lured by the chance to sleep where a king once snoozed. And William’s not stopping there—his team is hyping the rental as a boost for the local economy, with plans to market it heavily post-September. If this works, don’t be surprised if he turns Balmoral into a glamping site next.
The Bigger Picture: A Modern Monarchy?
Beneath the hilarity, there’s a deeper story here. William’s move reflects a shift toward a leaner, more practical monarchy. He’s not just playing landlord; he’s signaling that no one—not even the King—gets a free pass. By renting out Llwynywermod and opting for hotels himself, he’s aligning with a public that’s increasingly skeptical of royal perks. Plus, it’s a nod to sustainability, as the estate’s eco-friendly features (like that wood-chip boiler) get a second life under tourist stewardship. Charles, for his part, still has plenty of homes to crash in, from Highgrove to Balmoral, so don’t shed too many tears for him.
But the real genius of William’s plan? It’s a PR win wrapped in a cheeky jab. He gets to look like the forward-thinking prince who’s all about community and commerce, while gently reminding his dad who’s calling the shots in Cornwall. And let’s be honest: the public loves a bit of royal drama, especially when it involves a father-son showdown over a picturesque cottage. Social media is already buzzing with memes about Charles signing a lease, and you can bet this story will fuel pub chats for months.
The Final Word: Long Live the Landlord Prince!
As September looms, all eyes are on Llwynywermod. Will Charles book a week to reclaim his old haunt, or will he sulk in one of his other castles? Will William’s rental gamble pay off, or will tourists balk at the price tag? One thing’s for sure: this is the kind of royal scandal we can all get behind—no beheadings, just a hilariously awkward family dynamic played out on a Welsh hillside. So, grab your popcorn and watch this space—Prince William’s just rewritten the royal rulebook, and it’s a lease agreement for the ages.
