Campaigners have criticised William and Kate for acquiring a fourth huge home - at great expense to the taxpayer - during the cost-of-living crisis.

Campaign group Republic has said the move is shocking and shows how out of touch the royals are.

The royals have also been labelled dishonest for trying to spin the move as a downgrade to more modest accommodation.

Speaking today, Graham Smith said:

"Adelaide Cottage is a huge house by any standards, and it's attached to another home which we can assume will be for servants and staff."

"This fourth home is in addition to the multi-storey mansion William and Kate have in Kensington Palace, the 10-bedroom home in Sandringham and the large house they use when in Scotland."

"While the country faces an ever-growing cost-of-living crisis it is shocking to see William and Kate acquire a fourth home, at great expense to the taxpayer."

"All these palatial homes require round-the-clock protection, heating and staffing, and two of those homes belong to the Crown Estate, a state-owned property empire that is supposed to make money for the treasury."

"While ordinary households are struggling with their energy bills and facing crippling inflation, why are we giving yet another home to William and Kate? This is disgraceful."

"It is worse still to see this spun as moving into a more modest home, when they're adding a fourth large house to their luxury lifestyle."

"This is an abuse of public money, and it needs to stop."