King Charles Purchases $3.8M Property to Protect Camilla's Vacation Home.
King Charles III acquired a property valued at $3.8 million, located adjacent to Queen Camilla’s cherished vacation residence, upon learning of plans to convert it into a wedding venue.
According to a report by the Daily Mail on Saturday, the king utilized private funds to purchase the Old Mill estate, which is situated next to Camilla’s Ray Mill House retreat in Wiltshire, England.
Camilla’s Ray Mill House (1995) is a right next door to the Old Mill estate in Wiltshire, England. Photo - Alamy Stock Photo
A source close to Camilla disclosed to the newspaper that Charles expressed concerns regarding safety issues, as a potential buyer intended to “maximize commercial use of the property as a short-term holiday rental and wedding venue.”
Additionally, a second source indicated that Charles, aged 76, experienced significant “great anxiety” after discovering last month that the property would be transformed into a site for weddings.
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“Think of it — dozens of wedding guests carousing every weekend just the other side of her fence,” a third insider told the outlet.
Charles is said to have intervened at the final moment to prevent the sale, thereby becoming the new proprietor of the Old Mill. He intends to secure a tenant who has undergone security vetting, ensuring that the property is utilized in a manner deemed appropriate, as reported by the tabloid.
“The new arrangement is a pragmatic solution, being both a sound financial investment and a way of maintaining Her Majesty’s privacy, protection and continued enjoyment of her much-loved home, without any public funds being used,” a royal source said.
The insider added that Camilla, 77, is “grateful and relieved,” especially considering all the “additional stresses and anxieties” she has had to deal with this past year — likely referring to Charles’ cancer battle.
Friends informed the Mail that the queen utilizes her vacation residence as a sanctuary to retreat and express her true self.
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“She has her horses, she walks her dogs and she loves spending time with her family,” one pal said, adding, “This business with her neighbor was frankly the last thing she needed.”
The Old Mill estate has previously posed challenges for the royal couple.
In 2018, property developer Phil Clayton acquired the residence and promptly initiated extensive renovations that reportedly caused significant disruption within the community.
Against the wishes of Camilla’s security team, he transformed a former garage into an apartment known as Pear Tree Loft, which he listed on Airbnb and other rental platforms.
This apartment was located a mere 200 feet from Camilla’s entrance.
Clayton also filed multiple applications for various expansion projects, which Camilla opposed by sending letters of objection printed on HRH-headed stationery.
Despite her concerns regarding safety, her objections were ultimately dismissed.
Friends of Camilla expressed that the circumstances surrounding the property had become increasingly unbearable.
Securing the Old Mill estate has positively impacted Camilla's future intentions, as it is believed she will choose to reside permanently at Ray Mill instead of the palace should she outlive Charles.
Camilla, who entered into marriage with Charles in 2005, acquired the country cottage in 1996, following her divorce from Andrew Parker Bowles the previous year.
The property, characterized by its 19th-century Italianate architecture complemented by 20th-century Neo-Georgian enhancements, spans two stories and served as the venue for Camilla’s daughter Laura Lopes’ wedding reception in 2006.
