Ex-Prince Andrew Charged Tenants at Rent-Free Royal Mansion
Summary
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, previously known as Prince Andrew, leased a royal mansion in Windsor with a very low rent but sublet three cottages on the property to tenants. A UK government watchdog reported on this arrangement amid ongoing scrutiny related to Mountbatten-Windsor’s links to the Epstein scandal, leading to a parliamentary inquiry.Key Facts
- Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor leased the Royal Lodge in Windsor with a symbolic low "peppercorn rent" while agreeing to spend £7.5 million on renovations.
- He paid £1 million upfront as part of the lease deal and completed the renovations within two years.
- The lease permitted him to sublet three cottages on the estate, which were rented to tenants, though the rent charged is unknown.
- Mountbatten-Windsor lost his royal titles in October 2025 due to his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
- Prince William and Princess Kate pay a market rent of about £307,200 a year to rent their Windsor home, Forrest Lodge.
- The UK Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee is investigating the leasing and use of royal residences following the scandal.
- There are questions about how Mountbatten-Windsor financed the upfront costs, given financial difficulties reportedly faced by his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
- The Crown Estate originally sought a much higher upfront payment, but this was reduced after Mountbatten-Windsor agreed to fund costly renovations.
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