Former Prince Andrew’s Financial Dealings and Royal Housing Report
The former Prince Andrew earned money by subletting three cottages on the Royal Lodge estate, where he lived rent-free for two decades. This information was disclosed in a report on royal family properties released by the U.K. public spending watchdog.
The report also revealed that his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, reside in rent-controlled palace properties, sponsored by their uncle, King Charles III. The National Audit Office stated that Andrew had income from these rentals on the estate, his home near Windsor Castle for over 20 years. A lease agreement signed in 2003 indicated he paid a minimal ‘peppercorn rent’ for the 30-room mansion and eight cottages, three of which he could sublet.
The report did not specify the income amount, a detail Margaret Hodge, a Labour member of the House of Lords, noted was troubling. “It is shocking the National Audit Office could not determine how much Andrew earned from subletting the properties,” she said.
The audit review occurred following requests from lawmakers when Andrew lost his royal titles and was evicted from the Royal Lodge by his brother, King Charles III, after revelations about his ties with the late Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew relocated earlier this year to Sandringham Estate in eastern England.
In February, Andrew, 66, was arrested and questioned by police over misconduct in public office allegations. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged.
Royal Housing Arrangements
The report shows that 11 working royals receive free housing within palaces in exchange for official duties. These individuals include King Charles III and Queen Camilla, Prince William with Catherine, and Prince Edward with his wife Sophie.
William and Kate pay £307,200 annually for their family home near Windsor. Eugenie’s Kensington Palace cottage and Beatrice’s St. James’s Palace apartment rents, paid from the Privy Purse, range from 50% to 68% of market value. Both princesses hold external jobs and are not classified as “working” royals.
Buckingham Palace commented that the report aligns with the royal household’s transparency commitment, expressing hope it clarifies aspects of royal property discussions. Critics argue the findings demonstrate the royal family burdens taxpayers. Norman Baker, an ex-Liberal Democrat lawmaker, criticized the favorable rent arrangements and potential profit from subletting.
Epstein Connection
Documents from the U.S. Department of Justice, released in January, connected Andrew with Jeffrey Epstein. They revealed how Epstein leveraged an international network of affluent and influential individuals for exploitation.
British police are investigating claims Andrew leaked confidential trade information to Epstein during his term as a U.K. trade envoy from 2001 to 2011. They may expand the investigation to include sexual misconduct allegations, seeking witnesses to come forward.
Since moving to Sandringham Estate, about 100 miles from London, Andrew has rarely appeared in public. Recently, he was photographed with a noticeable bruise on his face. The Times of London suggested, without sources, it was due to a “nonserious medical condition.”