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      in Luxury

      Inside 12 Extravagant Estates Owned by the British Royal Family

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      The British royal family is known for their extravagant estates, from Buckingham Palace to Balmoral Castle—and even Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s former residence, Frogmore Cottage, has gotten press since the couple’s Netflix special. With King Charles III’s impending coronation on May 6, just how many homes does the monarchy have? Well, since Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, King Charles III now oversees the late monarch’s $42 billion portfolio of assets, reports Forbes, including jewels, art, and the Ascot Racecourse and golf courses. A huge chunk of that massive sum includes a $25 billion real-estate portfolio, which encompasses seven palaces, 10 castles, 12 homes, 56 cottages, and 14 ancient ruins throughout the U.K., Ireland, and Romania. There are many lesser-known residences that the royals own, too, like sprawling estates and modest, tucked-away country retreats. Read on to discover 12 of the most extravagant royal residences—and their estimated values.

      Buckingham Palace

      Buckingham Palace in London is one of the most-visited royal palaces.

      Pawel Libera/LightRocket via Getty Images

      The most iconic and important piece of royal real estate is London’s Buckingham Palace, said to be worth an estimated $4.9 billion. One of the world’s most-visited tourist attractions, the famed property has been the official residence of the monarch since 1837. The neoclassical-style palace has a whopping 775 rooms, including 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, 78 bathrooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, and 19 state rooms. It also functions as the monarchy’s administrative headquarters.

      Balmoral Castle

      Queen Elizabeth II spent much of her time here, including her final days.

      Tim Graham/Getty Images

      Located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Balmoral Castle was Queen Elizabeth’s favorite summer home, and also where she ultimately passed in September 2022. Prince Albert purchased the castle for Queen Victoria in 1952, and it became a go-to summer home for the royal family and the location of the annual royal summer party known as the Ghillies Ball. Spread over 50,000 acres, the estate has 150 buildings and a tried-and-true Scottish design of plaid wallcoverings, ornately carved wooden cabinets, and tartan decor.

      Kensington Palace

      This is the former official residence of Prince William and Princess Kate.

      Construction Photography/Avalon/Getty Images

      The former official residence of Prince William and Kate until the Queen’s passing, Kensington Palace in London has been owned by the British family since 1698 and was the birthplace and childhood home of Queen Victoria. Many famous royals have lived here, including Princess Diana during her marriage to the now-King Charles. According to Forbes, it’s said to be worth an estimated $630 million. There are 547 rooms in total, but William and Kate resided in Apartment 1A within the palace—a residence with four floors and 20 rooms. According to the royal family’s official website, other royal residents have included the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke and Duchess of Kent (who live in the palace’s Wren House), the Prince and Princess of Kent, and Princess Eugenie and her husband (who now reside in the palace’s Nottingham Cottage, also Prince Harry and Markle’s first home). 

      Windsor Castle

      Windsor Castle is worth an estimated $743 million.

      Daniel Leal/ AFP/Getty Images

      Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, located in the English county of Berkshire 25 miles west of Central London. Since their move from Kensington Palace, William and Kate have resided in Windsor Home Park’s Adelaide Cottage, which is about a 10-minute walk from Windsor Castle. Worth an estimated $743 million, the famed site can be visited by the public throughout the year. 

      Sandringham Estate

      The royals have their annual Christmas celebrations here each year.

      Radcliffe/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

      The Georgian-style Sandringham Estate was one of Queen Elizabeth’s favored homes and where she held the royal family’s annual Christmas celebration. It now is the private country retreat for King Charles and Camilla. Built in 1771, the Grade II–listed mansion is situated on 20,000 acres of land, 350 of which is a public park. The grand estate has belonged to the British monarchy since 1862, when Queen Victoria bought it as a gift for her son and heir, Prince Albert Edward of Wales. William and Kate also have a home on the property, called Anmer Hall, which they intend to keep. 

      Frogmore House

      Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

      The Crown has owned Frogmore House, located in Windsor, England, since 1792. The house is currently unoccupied but is the site of many private and office events. The more well-known Frogmore residence may be Frogmore Cottage, the former home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, that shares the same grounds as Frogmore House. Frogmore Cottage was built in 1801 when Queen Charlotte reigned. 

      St. James’s Palace

      Princess Anne resides here when she comes to London.

      JOHN STILLWELL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

      St. James’s Palace in London was the official residence of the monarchs for 300 years until the reign of Queen Victoria. It still holds an important role today; it’s where the Garter King of Arms announces the accession of the new monarch. It’s also where Princess Anne, Princess Beatrice, and Princess Alexandra reside when they’re in London. More than 100 charity receptions for charities associated with the royal family are held here annually. According to Forbes, it’s worth roughly 700 million. 

      Clarence House

      The home where King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla lived before the accession.

      Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

      Before the accession, King Charles and Camilla lived in London’s Clarence House. It was built between 1825 and 1827, and Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip even resided here after they got married in 1947. The Queen Mother also lived here for nearly five decades, and Prince William and Prince Harry briefly stayed here before moving to Kensington Palace. Said to be worth $72 million, the Regency-style house was built by architect John Nash.

      Highgrove House

      King Charles III purchased the Highgrove House in 1980.

      Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

      King Charles purchased this nine-bedroom Highgrove House in Gloucestershire, England, with his then-wife, the late Princess Diana, in 1980. They renovated the Neoclassical Georgian mansion into a fitting country retreat, as well as planted gardens with rare trees and plants. King Charles spent a day of reflection here after the death of the Queen, and it is now one of his private residences with Camilla, according to the website.

      Palace of Holyroodhouse

      This is King Charles III’s official residence in Edinburgh.

      Palace of Holyroodhouse

      The $83 million Palace of Holyroodhouse is King Charles’s official residence when he goes to Edinburgh, Scotland, for official royal engagements. There are 14 apartments within the residence, but it is also open to the public year-round. It was originally built in 1503 by King James IV and is probably best known as the residence of Mary, Queen of Scots. 

      Kew Palace

      The smallest royal palace.

      In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images

      Small but mighty, the Kew Palace on the banks of the River Thames was once the home of Queen Caroline and George II in the 1720s and later George III and Queen Charlotte. It’s the smallest of all the royal palaces, but still said to be worth $70 million. The grounds feature magnificent gardens, royal kitchens that depict Georgian life in the early 1800s, and Queen Charlotte’s rustic cottage.

      Royal Lodge

      The Royal Lodge in 1942.

      Studio Lisa/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

      This Grade II–listed home 3.2 miles south of Windsor Castle in Berkshire, England, has had much chattered surrounding it as of late: King Charles has asked his brother Prince Andrew, Duke of York, to vacate the Royal Lodge, his residence of more than 20 years. Though Charles reportedly offered Prince Andrew Frogmore Cottage, the former senior royal is refusing to downsize. More

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      in Vacation Homes

      First Look: Inside the Luxurious Nobu Residences in Los Cabos

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      Nobu Hotel Los Cabos is about to feel a lot more like home. The Baja California Sur resort has officially unveiled the design of its private residences—and we got a sneak peek inside.  

      The veteran hospitality brand’s Mexico outpost has added an additional 60 residential-style accommodations to its swanky 200-room property, ranging from one to four-bedroom suites that all live up to Nobu’s contemporary, Japanese aesthetic. The luxurious new units act as an extension of the hotel—meaning, they’re only available for guest bookings, not for lease or to buy like traditional residential concepts.  

      “Our goal when creating Nobu Residences was to give guests a sanctuary that they can call home in Los Cabos,” says Richard Sorensen, general manager at Nobu Hotel Los Cabos, in a press statement. “With amplified luxury amenities unique to the residences such as private pools, home gyms, barbecues, and more, new doors are opened to experience the Nobu lifestyle on a personal level, whether it’s hosting private dinners and events, or just spending quality time with family.”

      An inside look at the new Nobu Residences Los Cabos

      Nobu Residences Los Cabos

      From the moment you arrive, you’ll be treated to a private VIP check-in experience and an epic array of exclusive amenities. The latter runs the gamut from your own fitness room and massage suite to a 24-hour personal concierge and an au pair room. If you don’t feel like hitting up any of the hotel’s world-famous restaurants one evening, you can opt for an in-residence meal prepared by a private chef.  

      Each of the 60 residences is minimalist in its design and pays homage to the Baja area with handcrafted decor by local artisans. A fully functioning kitchen, a terrace deck, and a deep soaking tub in the bathroom all come standard with the suites. In the one-bedroom Hikari category, there are either garden or golf course views, a living room, and a dining area spread across its 1,046 square feet. Elsewhere, the 2,051-square-foot Asahi accommodation offers up the same, apart from its two beds and a terrace with a barbecue.  

      Each of the 60 suites comes with an outdoor terrace deck

      Nobu Residences Los Cabos

      The larger Sakyü suite, meanwhile, measures 4,483 square feet and is decked out with one king bed and two doubles. Here, you’ll have a garden view with the added bonus of a private plunge pool. The largest residence is the four-bedroom Kogane Penthouse, spanning 6,141 square feet with either golf course or partial ocean vistas. Naturally, no matter which residence you choose, you’ll have access to all of the hotel’s facilities. There’s a 13,691-square-foot spa and wellness center, four swimming pools, and chef Nobu Matsuhisa–approved fine-dining venues.  

      Starting rates for Nobu Residences Los Cabos begin at $1,600 per night. 

      Click here to check out all the photos. 

      Nobu Residences Los Cabos More

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      in Luxury

      You Can Now Rent Cristiano Ronaldo’s Sprawling Mega-Mansion in Madrid

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      After joining the Saudi Pro League in December, it looks like Cristiano Ronaldo won’t be needing his Madrid house anytime soon. So, he’s decided to offer it up to superfans in the meantime.  

      The Portuguese soccer star and his girlfriend, Georgina Rodriguez, have recently listed their Spanish mega-mansion for rent, Marca first reported. According to the newspaper, the footballer is asking a whopping €10,000 (roughly $10,980) per month for the palatial pad. Originally built by renowned architect Joaquin Torres, the design of the digs is almost akin to a bunker with its giant concrete walls and wood panels. At the very front, you’ll notice Ronaldo’s initials have been carved into the door handles. 

      Internally, the abode is awash with glass and marble galore. Elsewhere, oversized windows offer up views of the surrounding gardens and let in a ton of natural light. The impressive spread measures more than 43,000 square feet and features seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms, two swimming pools, an outdoor jacuzzi, a covered terrace, and a massive garage. (The striker is known to be an avid car collector.) Naturally, the sprawling compound comes with its own soccer pitch and state-of-the-art fitness center.  

      [embedded content]

      Dubbed La Finca, the four-floor estate is also where both seasons of Rodriguez’s Netflix reality show, I am Georgina, were filmed. The second installment hit the streaming platform a few weeks ago on March 24. During the docu-series, the model and dancer recalled what it was like the first time she entered the colossal crib.

      “The first time I came to Cristiano’s house, well I’d get lost,” she says. “I’d want to go to the kitchen to get water and I’d no idea where to go. Sometimes it would take me half an hour to get to the living room because I didn’t know the way back. It was so big. . .I think after half a year here, I was able to know where everything was and it was okay.” 

      Sounds like whoever decides to crash here might need a map.  More

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      in Luxury

      Rock Ross Just Bought Meek Mill’s Atlanta Mansion for $4.2 Million in Cash

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      After two years on the market, Meek Mill finally found a buyer for his Atlanta mansion, and it’s none other than fellow Maybach Music member and real estate mogul Rick Ross.  

      Rozay splashed out a cool $4.2 million in cash for the Buckhead estate, TMZ reported. However, Meek shared on his Instagram story that he didn’t know the Teflon Don was the new owner. In an effort to speed up the sale, the “Dreams & Nightmares” rapper posted a video of the house on social media back in March, mentioning that he’s only had it for a few years and never actually moved in. It’s possible he was taking a page from Ross’s playbook and just wanted a residence to ride by every day.

      I sold that house that quick …. It was forsale for like 2 years… i knew it would soon as I posted too!— MeekMill (@MeekMill) April 10, 2023

      Naturally, the eight-bedroom, nine-bathroom spread comes with a bevy of amenities. Think a tennis court, a movie theater, a sauna, and a swimming pool. There’s also a Jacuzzi, a playground, and twin garages. ATL broker Alisha Gillooly, who represented Ross, told TMZ that she’s “been working to make an impact in the luxury market, and this did just that.” 

      Rick Ross (left) just bought an Atlanta manse from fellow rapper Meek Mill (in orange) for $4.2 million.

      Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images

      This isn’t the first time Ross has scooped up a property with celeb pedigree. The hip-hop artist doled out $3.5 million in all cash for Amar’e Stoudemire’s gated estate in Florida, setting a record for the fast-closing deal in Southwest Ranches. He also famously bought boxer Evander Holyfield’s 109-room mega-manse in Georgia, which he renamed “the Promise Land.”

      The palatial compound in Fayetteville sits on an epic 235 acres and measures a whopping 45,000 square feet. Inside, there are 12 lavish bedrooms, 21 bathrooms, a 135-person movie theatre, and a recording studio. Plus, the sprawling grounds hold a 350,000-gallon swimming pool, as well as a herd of buffalo. The digs are so impressive, they even had a starring role in Eddie Murphy’s Coming 2 America. Nothing but the best for Da Boss. More

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      in Luxury

      Rihanna Just Snapped Up a Lavish L.A. Penthouse for $21 Million

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      Rihanna is making room for her growing family. The singer, who’s currently expecting her second child, just swapped her longtime Century City condo for a sprawling $21 million penthouse in the same celeb-loved building.  

      According to Dirt, the mogul has moved from her three-bedroom, 3,500-square-foot apartment at the Century right into a 9,290-square-foot mansion in the sky. The former has served as her primary residence since 2014, located within the Robert A. M. Stern–designed building in Los Angeles. Her new aerie, which she’ll share with rapper A$AP Rocky and their two kids, spans the entire 40th floor and offers up four expansive bedrooms and six and a half baths.  

      Rihanna just dropped $21 million on a full-floor penthouse at the Century in Los Angeles.

      Michael McNamara and Jason Speth

      The pop star is reported to have purchased the pad from seller Nick Molnar, the cofounder of Afterpay. Molnar originally listed the apartment for $28 million after nearly two years of ownership. Although, he only splashed out $21.6 million when he bought the unit from actor Matthew Perry. The Friends star lived at this same scenic perch from 2017 to 2021 and made a ton of upgrades to the place during the four-year period. He turned to architect Scott Joyce and interior designer LM Pagano to renovate the spread, which now includes a Hollywood-style movie theater and a massive primary suite with a fireplace and dual bathrooms. 

      The 40th-floor apartment was formerly owned by actor Matthew Perry.

      Michael McNamara and Jason Speth

      Throughout the circular-shaped dwelling, there are soaring floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping views of the city. Additional highlights include four outdoor terraces, a large living room, and a state-of-the-art kitchen. The 42-story tower is known for being a “paparazzi-proof” escape for California’s rich and famous, decked out with a 24-hour concierge service, a fitness center, and a 75-foot swimming pool. Everyone from Denzel Washington and Nobu Matsuhisa to Paula Abdul and Terry Dubrow has been residents of the building. In fact, Candy Spelling has an enormous two-floor penthouse right on top of Rihanna’s new digs.  

      Click here to see all the photos of Rihanna’s Century City penthouse.

      Michael McNamara and Jason Speth More

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      in Luxury

      Ryan Reynolds Bought a Home in a Small Welsh Village to Be Closer to His Wrexham Soccer Team

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      Has Ryan Reynolds turned into the real-life Ted Lasso? After buying half of the Wrexham professional soccer club, he’s now reportedly ready to put down roots across the pond. 

      According to The Sun, residents of Marford, a small village in Wales, are losing their minds over the possibility that Reynolds could be their neighbor. The Deadpool star reportedly snapped up a quaint, four-bedroom cottage for £1.5 million ($1.8 million) a mere five miles from Wrexham, where he’ll be just a short distance away from his team.

      “Ryan is moving to Marford, and it’s all the locals can talk about,” a source told the British newspaper. “His house is on the poshest road. It might not be the Big Apple, but the red carpet will be rolled out when Ryan comes to town.” 

      Reynolds bought Wrexham AFC in February 2021 along with good friend and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia creator, Rob McElhenney. The Hollywood hotshots scooped up the struggling fifth-division club together for £2 million (about $2.5 million) and since then have invested in rebuilding the team’s roster and reviving the local community. They even went as far as to film their takeover in an 18-episode docuseries entitled Welcome to Wrexham, the second season of which is expected to be released on FX later this year. 

      Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds (left) and Rob McElhenney during the match between Wrexham and Notts County.

      Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

      On Monday, the pair celebrated a massive 3-2 win over rival Notts County. The victory brings Wrexham one step closer to promotion from the National League into the English League, which has been Reynolds and McElhenney’s goal from the very beginning (pun intended). “The plan is now, and has always been, the Premier League,” Reynolds told the BBC back in January. “I can’t really put a date on that. But if it’s theoretically possible to go from fifth division to Premier League, why wouldn’t we do it?”   More