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GB News was interrupted for an update on Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh. It has been reported that the couple have earned up to £130,000 a year sub-letting stables on their estate. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, who reside at Bagshot Park in Surrey - a Crown Estate property where they pay a peppercorn rent - are reportedly letting out the stables and an office block on the estate.

The money from this has been going to the couple rather than taxpayers, it has been reported, despite the taxpayers contributing £3 million towards the property. Speaking to royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams, GB News presenter Dawn Neesom acknowledged that it's "very unusual" for there to be a scandal involving Edward, 62, and Sophie, 61.

He said: "What's going on is an extreme sensitivity when it comes to the Crown Estate and the money that various members of the royal family are either saving or making when it comes to properties."

The 76-year-old revealed several changes had been made to the lease of Bagshot Park, which was first taken out by Edward in 1998 and later extended to 150 years in 2007.

Richard continued: "He paid £6.63 million and the taxpayer contributed some £3 million and the peppercorn rent that he's subsequently gestated means that he doesn't pay rent at all, but on the other hand, they are able to sublet.

"So a scandal isn't exactly the word, but of course we are in a time of very considerable sensitivity when it comes to the world's finances and any money spent on the royal family."

Dawn questioned whether the money should be returned to the taxpayer, suggesting that could be the real problem.

"I think the argument is that the taxpayer could have got a better bargain from what was negotiated at the beginning," Richard explained. "This is not a dissimilar arrangement to that with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor when it came to the main house.

He added: "The way the public accounts committee have been looking into how the Crown Estate handles royal properties. There is real public interest in this because we must make sure that the taxpayer gets the maximum bang for the buck."

Emphasising their popularity with the UK public, Dawn noted it was unusual to see Edward and Sophie on the front page of a tabloid.

Richard agreed, highlighting the "remarkable work" Sophie does for victims of abuse in warzones and how well Edward slipped into the late Prince Philip's shoes with several charities.

He remarked: "They do very, very good work so this is something that will have to be ironed out because the taxpayer should benefit."