For sale: a British royal residence complete with ancient castle – Queen Elizabeth’s cousin Prince Richard is selling his Barnwell Manor home in Peterborough for US$5.4 million

Oct 10 , 2022

Barnwell Manor, the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth’s cousin Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, is for sale at US$5.4 million. Photo: Savills

The current Duke and Duchess of Gloucester have rented out Barnwell Manor since 1995, when they moved to Kensington Palace in London, where they raised their own children

The manor, built in the 16th century, is located near Peterborough, a city in eastern England that is renowned for its theatre, entertainment venues and restaurants

Barnwell Manor in Peterborough, UK, was the childhood home of Britain’s Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester and Queen Elizabeth’s cousin. Now he’s selling the property – an eight-bedroom manor that has the ruins of an ancient castle in the grounds – for US$5.4 million.

Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, the late Queen Elizabeth’s cousin. Photo: Getty Images

Prince Richard and his family currently live in Kensington Palace in London.

Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, looks on as Queen Elizabeth prepares to unveil the first Jubilee Greenway Disc outside the central gates of Buckingham Palace on February 29, 2012 in London. Photo: Getty Images

Barnwell Manor was bought by his parents, the late Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, in 1938, the listing states.

Princess Alice, Duchess Of Gloucester (centre) with her family, the Duke And Duchess Of Gloucester, Earl Of Ulster, Lady Rose And Lady Davina Windsor At Kensington Palace for a photo session to commemorate her 90th year in 1991. Photo: Getty Images

However Richard and his wife, the current Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, raised their children at Kensington Palace in London and have rented out Barnwell since 1995.

Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester and Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester during the Trooping the Colour parade on June 02, 2022 in London, England. Photo: WireImage

The Gloucester family moved out because they could not afford to maintain the property any longer, according to a 1995 report by The Independent, which stated at the time that the couple’s income from farming as well as the public funding provided to them as working royals, wasn’t enough to sustain the property.

A spokesperson for the Duke of Gloucester at Buckingham Palace said they wouldn’t comment on the sale of the property as it is a private residence and not funded by the Crown Estate.

Inside Prince Richard’s childhood home, Barnwell Manor

The grounds of Barnwell Manor in Peterborough. Photo: Savills

Barnwell Manor was built in the 16th century and underwent various renovations throughout the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, according to Savills’ online listing.