An expert on royal affairs says arrangements in which certain members of the royal family pay “peppercorn” rent for Crown Estate properties should be reconsidered. Norman Baker, a royal author, argues that royals—some of whom do not currently hold public-facing duties—have avoided sustained scrutiny over how second homes are rented and how costs are handled. The discussion is framed around Crown Estate properties used by members of the family, including Beatrice’s residence at St James’s Palace and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s Kensington apartment, which is described in coverage as rarely used. Baker’s position is that the existing setup has gone on for too long without clear public explanation or debate. The articles emphasize the need to examine whether these contracts remain appropriate and whether greater transparency is warranted. No change to the arrangements is reported in the provided coverage; the reporting focuses on Baker’s call for an end or review of these “peppercorn” rent contracts and the questions they raise.