It's not what you might call fit for a king, but the modest three-bedroom house that Prince Charles and his wife Camilla have bought in Wales clearly meets with royal approval. The cosy property, once owned by farmers, will be a holiday hideway for the couple, who fell in love with Llwywormwood in Myddfai, Carmarthenshire, on a visit to the area.
A peep inside the keyhole reveals that, with its pink floral wallpaper and 1960s furniture, the house is in need of some updating. "The décor has not been decided on yet, but it's fair to say it needs a refurbishment before it is fully operational," said a royal source.
The Queen's eldest son is believed to have spent £1 million on the rural property and the surrounding 192-acre estate, which includes stables, outhouses and an organic farm - something that will have immediately caught Charles' interest. It is thought he will be renting out the property to holidaymakers when he and Camilla are not using it.
"I was surprised to learn the Prince had bought it, because I thought he would have wanted something bigger and grander," said former owner Gilbert Stroud. His wife Patricia was equally amazed to learn of the royal buyers. "I loved that house and I was very sad to leave," she recalled. "It was my little palace. We had many happy times and I hope they'll be just as happy there. It's amazing to think the future king will be in our old bedroom."
The Strouds bought the farm for £13,200 back in 1963. They went on to sell it to John and Patricia Hegarty for £352,000, who in turn sold it to the Duchy. The sale will be completed in March 2007.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
