The multi-millionaire owner of a Kent castle has reiterated she is not selling the historic site - despite announcing she is leaving the country.

Dr Ann Kaplan Mulholland says those with weddings booked at Lympne Castle, near Hythe, have no need to worry as she is keeping hold of the Grade I-listed building.

The 64-year-old is moving to Milan with her husband, plastic surgeon Stephen Mulholland, ahead of the Labour government’s upcoming changes to non-dom tax rules.

However, they are going to keep the building, which they bought in 2023 for £5.5 million.

Dr Kaplan Mulholland confirmed it is “business as usual” at the site, with plans for a new wedding venue at the landmark still on track.

She says brides-to-be have been “phoning the castle in a panic” over the Milan move - but says they can rest easy as the site will remain in her ownership.

“We moved to England three years ago and purchased Lympne Castle with the intent to build a world-class wedding venue,” she said.

“When we realised its potential, we made a decision to transform the castle into a hotel and refurbish all areas, including the gardens and grounds.

“These few years have been challenging with the shocking realisation of the state of the UK economy, exorbitant taxes, lack of skilled trades, and transportation costs.

“Nonetheless, we made the decision, having formed an incredible team here at Lympne Castle, to move forward with our plans and face each challenge.

“There will be no change in direction, construction will continue, the new wedding venue will be built as planned, and the restaurants will remain open, with the addition of a new one in 2026.”

Currently, a bar and restaurant are open to the public, a number of cottages within the ground are available to rent, and The Naughty Dog bistro opened in August.

Twenty hotel rooms are planned for the second floor of the castle as part of Dr Kaplan Mulholland’s vision.

But despite her grand schemes for the castle, she is blaming Chancellor Rachel Reeves for her decision to move.

The star of Canadian reality TV show Real Housewives of Toronto added: “When ‘Reckless Reeves’ confirmed the cancellation of a 235-year-old tax regime put in place to enhance the UK economy, I was shocked.

“Not only will this affect an already financially challenged, in-debt, struggling nation, but most of the 72,000 non-doms who contribute significantly to the economy are deciding to leave, taking their investments and cash with them.

“We have had no choice but to follow suit, which means we will reside elsewhere, but we will still be in England for part of the year.”

The couple will look to return to England for the maximum number of days they can.

Previously, Dr Kaplan Mulholland planned to write to the King to ask him to grant independence to her estate, creating a non-dom kingdom in Lympne but decided against it after realising it would not be legal.

The government hopes the non-dom crackdown - with foreign earnings brought into the inheritance tax system - will raise £5.2 billion for the public purse by 2028-29.

In Milan, wealthy internationals pay a flat tax rate of £166,000 yearly, regardless of their overseas earnings.