BBC News Briefing

5 June, 2026

Alex has dark blonde, bobbed hair and is smiling. She is wearing a dark grey, high-necked top with a pink jumper on top.

Alex Binley

Hello. A new report examines the property arrangements of the royal family, including Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and his daughters. We take a look at the changing White House ballroom plans, and see an array of Marilyn Monroe memorabilia which has gone under the hammer.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Andrew was sub-letting Royal Lodge cottages, watchdog reveals

A head and shoulders picture of Andrew Mounbatten-Windsor against a black background, he wears a suit and red tie. He has short grey hair and is looking to the side.

The watchdog report examined the 12 royal properties of Andrew and his family. Credit: Toby Melville/Reuters

The first report into royal residences in 20 years shows the former prince sub-let three cottages on the Royal Lodge estate that he leased from the Crown Estate. It is not known how much money Mountbatten-Windsor received, but Palace sources suggest it was only enough to cover running costs. However much it was, it would have gone to him rather than the Crown Estate - an independent property company managing assets on behalf of the crown - which would pay its profits back to the Treasury. The report also revealed that the King pays the rent for accommodation in royal palaces for the former prince's daughters, Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, who are not working royals. There are no suggestions of anything unlawful in the report, carried out by the public spending watchdog, but the optics are likely to be uncomfortable for the Palace. A spokesman said the findings were "in line with the Royal Household's commitment to transparency".

What report found

Analysis: Royal finances are facing a funding cut, but will anything really change, asks royal correspondent Sean Coughlan.

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East Lodge: Earlier this year, Mountbatten-Windsor handed back the lease on another Crown Estate property, believed to have been used for staff accommodation.

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Trade envoy: The Palace was handed emails six years ago that would have shown Andrew was sharing government information, court documents say.

WORLD HEADLINES

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What was said >

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Mangrove forests healing after decades of destruction

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What's changed >

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'World-first' vaccine designed by AI

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How it works >

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The bear - which was holed up after attacking four people - also managed to evade food traps and an effort to tranquilise it.

How it eluded capture >

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Ex-wife of Dubai ruler's nephew 'in custody'

Prosecutors said Zenab Javadli was detained following a complaint made by the father of her three children.

More on this >

NEWS FROM THE UK

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BEYOND THE HEADLINES

How Trump's White House ballroom plan has doubled in size and cost

Trump initially promised that the ballroom wouldn't cost taxpayers anything. Credit: Getty Images

A year ago, US President Donald Trump announced plans for a new ballroom at the White House. In the ensuing months, the proposals have grown to include a rooftop "drone port", a bomb shelter, an underground hospital and "top secret" military facilities. These aren't the only things to have changed - so has the estimated price tag - doubling to $400m (£300m). BBC Verify takes a look at satellite images, public plans and what's been said, to examine how the cost of the project has ballooned - and who will finance it.‌

What we found

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