Note: This was a day later than usual because I wrote yet another post on the aftermath of Prince Andrew\u2019s latest scandal on Monday: \u201c<\/em>The next step: Narrowing the list of which Windsors get royal titles<\/a>\u201d<\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s really a peppercorn rent. <\/p>\n As in Prince Andrew submits an actual peppercorn to the Crown Estate for his annual rent on the 40-room Royal Lodge at Windsor (when they ask for it). <\/p>\n <\/a> That was one of the biggest revelations from a <\/span>major coup by the Times<\/a>, which got their hands on the lease that Andrew signed with the Crown Estate in 2003 when he took over the rundown property after the death of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. He had to pay some rather big up-front costs for the 40-hectare estate in the heart of Windsor Great Park: \u201c\u00a31 million for the lease plus at least \u00a37.5 million for refurbishments completed in 2005.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n What was equally revealing is how the Times got a copy of the lease: the Crown Estate gave it to them immediately after receiving a Freedom of Information request. Normally those can take days, weeks, months, or even years. Often private information is withheld. In this case, the journalist got it within a day, as can be seen by the date of the email request. <\/p>\n <\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n There are important trips. <\/p>\n There are essential visits. <\/p>\n But rarely are there historic tours. <\/p>\n The two-day state visit by King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the Vatican on Wednesday and Thursday of this week is the latter. <\/p>\n King Charles III will pray with Pope Leo during what is being billed as a \u201cunique ecumenical service\u201d at the Sistine Chapel. It will be the first time a British monarch has prayed with a pontiff since Henry VIII broke with the Catholic Church five centuries ago. As the palace explains:<\/p>\n It will mark a significant moment in relations between the Catholic Church and Church of England, of which His Majesty is Supreme Governor, recognizing the ecumenical work they have undertaken and reflecting the Jubilee year\u2019s theme of walking together as \u201cPilgrims of Hope.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Then there\u2019s a second history-making aspect to the trip when Charles becomes \u201cRoyal Confrater\u201d at St. Paul\u2019s Outside the Walls (this is a recognition of spiritual fellowship). In addition, St. Paul\u2019s Outside the Walls has \u201ccreated a special seat for His Majesty, which will remain there as a perpetual sign of mutual respect between Pope Leo and the King. It will be available for future use by the monarch and his successors.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!tBgh!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F87289046-1b3f-4203-8264-b56a99e479d9_1131x1811.jpeg){kind=spacer}
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