Royal garden to host Olympic parties

London - It's an Olympic party venue fit for a king. Royal officials say part of the garden at Prince William's new home is being rented out during the London 2012 Olympics.

Buckingham Palace confirmed on Thursday that Perks Field, used by royals as a soccer field and a helicopter landing pad, had been made available for those seeking to wow their guests.

It follows a decision to hire out rooms at St James's Palace - where William and Prince Harry have offices - as party venues. It also comes after Britain cut public funding to the royal family about 9% by 2015 under a deficit-reduction programme.

London's Evening Standard newspaper reported that a Russian businessman will rent Perks Field - adjacent to Kensington Palace, the residence that will be William's home from 2013.