Prince Edward attended Bristol Zoo this week, as he joined conservationists and volunteers to celebrate the launch of the new “African Forest” habitat.
Bristol Zoo is home to some of the world’s most threatened species and provides a space for educating and conserving the species within the UK.
Some of the animals housed within the zoo, include the critically endangered western lowland gorillas, grey parrots, and the extremely threatened species of West African freshwater fish.
During his visit, in his capacity as Patron of Bristol Zoological Society, the Duke of Edinburgh went behind the scenes to learn how the zoo provides dedicated care to the vulnerable species.
Prince Edward soaked in the sunshine as he visited the opening of Bristol Zoo's African Forest habitat
|Prince Edward also helped prepare lunch to give to the gorillas in the zoo.
The visit comes in the same week as reports claimed the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have been earning as much as £130,000 from subletting converted stables on their Crown Estate property.
According to reports in The Sun, Prince Edward and Sophie have been letting out a stable block at Bagshot Park in Surrey, with the proceeds flowing to the royal couple rather than into public coffers.
The 51-acre estate, valued at approximately £30million, features a 120-room mansion that the King's youngest brother leases under highly favourable terms.
The converted stables, situated roughly 400 metres from the main residence, were recently marketed as office accommodation at £10,834 monthly.
Critics have condemned the arrangement as fundamentally unfair to taxpayers. Norman Baker, the former Liberal Democrat Home Affairs minister, branded the situation "outrageous" in his response to the revelations.
Prince Edward gave a speech to the workers and volunteers at Bristol Zoo
|"Any money raised from those stables should only be going to one place – the Crown Estate," Mr Baker told the publication.
"Crown Estate profits go directly to the Treasury, so it is the taxpayer who is losing out here."
He added: "It's an outrage they pay a peppercorn rent as it is, and now Edward and Sophie are free to rake in £130,000 for a stable block as part of the deal. It is outrageous."
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Royal commentator Margaret Holder offered a more measured assessment, describing the arrangement as "a nice little earner, particularly if you are already on a peppercorn rent".
She noted the couple were not personally at fault, as existing rules permit such additional income streams.
The East Wing Stable Block comprises a two-storey, Grade II Listed building spanning 6,667 square feet, featuring modern interior finishes and fibre connectivity.
According to The Sun, a rental brochure describes the property as offering "unrivalled" parking facilities in the locality, with space for up to 30 vehicles and convenient access to the M3 motorway.
Edward and Sophie 'earned £130,000 by sub-letting converted stables' beside Surrey home, The Sun have claimed
| GETTYThe offices include open-plan workspace, dedicated meeting rooms, kitchen facilities, and shower amenities, all set within landscaped grounds.
Previous occupants have included pharmaceutical companies, and Prince Edward's former television production company, Ardent Productions, was once headquartered there.
A royal source claimed the property currently has no tenants and is not being marketed, with the last occupant having departed in October.
The Crown Estate declined to comment when approached by GB News.
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