Duchess Sophie is all smiles alongside Prince Edward following reports of ‘peppercorn rent’ at Bagshot Park home

Sophie, 52, looked so glamorous wearing a khaki coat adorned with a giant bow on the neckline, which she accessorised with a straw hat featuring a vibrant pink band and a purple clutch bag emblazoned with her initials.

The Duchess completed her look with brown chestnut-hued boots. Meanwhile, Prince Edward wore a smart grey suit, with a white shirt and blue tie. 

The outing comes after reports of the “peppercorn rent” Prince Edward pays at their family home, Bagshot Park. 

According to the Times, “he paid £5 million upfront for a lease of 150 years, but pays only a peppercorn rent.”

Peppercorn rent is a term used to describe a small, nominal rent, such as one peppercorn, to satisfy a legal requirement for a contract to be binding.

There are no conditions set on the further sale of Edward’s lease, beyond that the new tenant could afford the property’s maintenance, meaning that Edward could profit from its sale.

Campaigners have since questioned whether Edward, 15th in line to the throne, can justify his occupation of a property that could otherwise be leased by the Crown Estate for taxpayer benefit.