Andrew, the former Prince, is revealed to have sublet cottages at Royal Lodge for years, while simultaneously occupying a main residence on the same estate without paying rent. A report by the National Audit Office (NAO), the UK's public spending watchdog, details the arrangement where income from these sublets was directed to Andrew. The duration of these sublets reportedly extended from 2003 up until April 2026.
The Royal Lodge, a 30-room mansion, was occupied by Andrew under a 75-year lease. This lease was reportedly secured with a commitment to spend £7.5 million on renovations. However, the NAO report indicates that the rent associated with this occupancy was effectively zero.
The specific amounts collected from the subletting of the three cottages are not publicly disclosed in the NAO report. These cottages are currently vacant. The report's findings have reignited discussions concerning the transparency of royal finances and the use of royal residences.
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A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace has acknowledged the NAO report, stating they appreciate its contribution to the Royal Household's commitment to transparency. They expressed hope that the report's findings would assist in clarifying various points regarding royal properties.
Further details from the report, as cited by The Guardian, highlight that rental arrangements for royal family members can differ based on the management structure of the estate, whether it falls under the Crown or the Royal Household. The report also notes that Andrew's daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, who are not considered working royals, are provided with apartments in London palaces, with their rent covered by the King's personal funds. Andrew has since relocated to the King's private estate at Sandringham.
The NAO's report represents the most detailed examination to date of how royal residences are occupied. It is anticipated to form the groundwork for a forthcoming parliamentary inquiry into royal properties, which was announced in December last year.
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The circumstances surrounding Andrew's finances and property arrangements have come under increased scrutiny, particularly in light of his ongoing association with the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
