Ex-Prince Andrew reportedly rented out three properties at Royal Lodge. Last year, King Charles’ youngest brother lost his royal title after getting into controversy. Moreover, he was asked to leave the Royal Lodge in Windsor and was relocated to Marsh Farm in Norfolk. Now, as per an audit, Andrew was subletting the cottages to boost private income.
Ex-Prince Andrew reportedly made money by subletting three Royal Lodge properties, per new audit
According to a new audit, ex-Prince Andrew rented out three properties at Royal Lodge to boost his private income for over 20 years. He was reportedly doing this despite paying a “peppercorn rent” himself. As per the National Audit Office (NAO), Andrew was allowed to sublet three out of eight properties as part of his leasing agreement with The Crown Estate (TCE). The former Duke of York was reportedly collecting rent while occupying the main mansion (via The Independent).
How much rent Andrew earned or who rented the properties is currently not known. However, auditors have claimed that all tenants left the cottages by April. The NAO probe talked about the royal family’s property arrangements. It shared the ex-royal “could attempt to claim between £300,000 and £488,000 for the early surrender of his 75-year lease at Royal Lodge.” But TCE stated there are chances Andrew would get nothing “once dilapidations are taken into account.”
Moreover, his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, reportedly get their rent covered in royal properties by the privy purse. After the NAO report’s publication, the Labour MP for York Central, Rachael Maskell, gave her statement, saying, “Every revelation about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor highlights how he has proflicated [sic] from his position and exploited this for his own benefit at the expense of others.” Maskell continued, “When people are struggling to afford their rent, it is galling that he only paid a peppercorn rent.”
Norman Baker, the ex-Liberal Democrat minister, called the arrangements “outrageous.” He added, “It shows an absolute total contempt for the taxpayer, not only that Andrew was able to have a peppercorn rent for a gigantic property, but then to make potentially millions on the side from subletting properties.” Baker continued, “The money should have gone to the Crown Estate, not into (his) pockets.”
