英國女王已經批準在2012年倫敦奧運會期間將圣詹姆斯王宮出租，每天的租金為3萬英鎊（約合30.5萬元人民幣）。英女王此舉打破了500年的王室傳統。在倫敦奧運會期間，商業公司可以租用圣詹姆斯王宮內的皇座室、壁畫室以及安妮女王室舉辦派對聚會等活動，可以就近觀看沙灘排球、馬拉松以及游泳等項目的比賽，同時還能享受專屬的王宮游覽服務。一名消息人士稱，官員們已經開始與那些可能對租用皇宮感興趣的公司或慈善機構聯系。另外，位于肯特郡的利茲城堡方面也于最近招募經紀，擬在奧運期間對外出租，城堡內房間每晚的費用最低為6.25萬英鎊，可享受高爾夫、游船夜游等全套服務。

A Royal palace is to be let out to companies for up to ￡30,000 a day during next year’s Olympic Games.

A Royal palace is to be let out to companies for up to ￡30,000 a day during next year’s Olympic Games.

In a break with nearly 500 years of Royal protocol, St James’s Palace has thrown open the doors to some of its most lavish state apartments for private firms to rent during the London Games.

The Queen has personally approved the plans to allow businesses to take their pick of the Palace’s Throne Room, its Tapestry Room and the Queen Anne Room for glamorous parties.

And wealthy pleasure-seekers can take advantage of another stately offer elsewhere - with Leeds Castle available to hire for the Olympics at ￡1million.

Guests at St James's will enjoy an exclusive tour of the Palace as part of the exclusive celebrations.

They will also be close to several key Olympic events, including the Beach Volleyball in Horse Guards Parade, and the marathon, which will start and finish in the Mall.

Nearby Hyde Park will be the venue for some swimming events.

One source said: ‘The Palace is exploiting its historical heritage and its prime location. Officials have already begun contacting firms and charities who they think might be interested in using the Palace.

'They are targeting organisations who have an existing link with the Royal Household and that includes those who have Royal Warrants.'

All the dates are now reportedly sold out, after an overwhelming response from big businesses looking to throw a soiree to remember.

St James’s Palace, which is still the official residence of the Sovereign, is normally closed to the public.

Now, under the hire plan, firms will be able to invite guests to events in the Tapestry Room, which boasts an original Tudor fireplace and a selection of tapestries woven for Charles II, and the Throne Room, which contains a single throne for the reigning Monarch.

The third room on offer, the upholstered Queen Anne Room, is dominated by a portrait of George III.

Companies can entertain up to 500 guests for lunch, dinner or a drinks reception. It is understood catering will be carried out by Palace staff rather than by private firms.

The three rooms have each seen their fair share of history – the treaty which established the Council of Europe, for instance, was signed in the Queen Anne Room in 1949.

David Starkey, the historian and broadcaster, said opening the Palace to the corporate world was perhaps inevitable. ‘I have attended charity functions at the Palace and it is ideal for this sort of entertaining,’ he said.

‘We are in an age where everything is up for sale so we should not be surprised when the Monarchy jumps on the bandwagon.

‘In a real sense we reap what we sow. If we begrudge the Royal Family every penny piece, then what else are the Queen and the Royal household to do?

‘Buckingham Palace, for instance, is a highly decorated slum which needs tens of millions spent on it.’

But a senior member of the Royal Household attacked the plans as unseemly, The People reported today.

'St James's has the richest history of the royal palaces and it seems improper to hire it out to the highest bidder for corporate booze-ups,' they said.

'The general feeling among staff is that this is entirely inappropriate. The state apartments should be used for ceremonial occasions as normal to retain their prestige.'

A spokesman confirmed they would run for the duration of the Games but declined to give details of fees or the organisations that had booked.

‘I think everyone is very conscious that purse strings are tight at the moment and this is an innovative way of raising funds,’ he said.

‘All the monies raised will be able to supplement the Sovereign Grant and will be spent on the upkeep of Royal residences.’

Trustees at Leeds Castle in Kent last week hired estate agent Knight Frank to make 'discreet enquiries' about who could be interested in staying there during the Games, according to the Sunday Times.

The luxurious rooms are said to be available at a minimum of ￡62,500 a night, with an army of staff on hand to attend to guests; every need.

A butler will deliver cocktails at dusk and a chauffeur will ferry rich visitors around the 500-acre estate.

The castle - which is around two hours' drive from the Olympic Stadium - boasts a helipad, maze, golf course and 40 opulent bedrooms.

Its wealthy guests will be able to hold banquets for 100 people, or indulge in jousting, hot-air balloon rides and driving a nearby steam train, said the newspaper.

The castle was built in 1119 and remodelled by Henry VIII for Catherine of Aragon. It has been run by a charitable trust since 1974.

It was used for Middle East and Northern Ireland peace talks and was the setting for concerts by stars including Elton John and Luciano Pavarotti.

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(Agencies)

（中國日報網英語點津 Helen 編輯）