Former Prince Andrew generated income by subletting three cottages on the Royal Lodge estate. This estate, near Windsor Castle, was his home for over two decades, rent-free. Details emerged from a report released by the U.K. public spending watchdog.
The report by the National Audit Office stated that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor received income from renting these cottages. Since 2003, he lived on the estate under a lease arrangement requiring a nominal ‘peppercorn rent’ for a 30-room mansion and eight cottages.
The exact amount of income from sublets was not disclosed. Margaret Hodge, a Labour member and former head of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, criticized this omission.
The audit was requested after Mountbatten-Windsor lost royal titles and was evicted from Royal Lodge by King Charles III. This followed his connection to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. He moved to the Sandringham Estate in eastern England.
Earlier this year, the former prince faced questioning by police regarding public office misconduct allegations. Though arrested, he has denied any wrongdoing and has not faced charges.
Royal Housing Practices
The audit report highlighted current housing arrangements for working royals. Eleven royals receive free housing in exchange for official duties. This includes King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and others.
Prince William and Catherine pay 307,200 pounds (approximately $413,000) annually for a family home near Windsor. Princess Eugenie’s and Princess Beatrice’s rents in their respective palace properties are controlled, set between 50% and 68% of market value. These rents are covered by the monarch’s private funds, the Privy Purse, as both are non-working royals with external jobs.
Buckingham Palace endorsed the audit, stating it aligns with their commitment to transparency. Critics argue it reveals the royal family’s financial practices and potential misuse of taxpayer funds.
“It shows an absolute total contempt for the taxpayer,” commented Norman Baker, a former Liberal Democrat lawmaker.
Connection to Jeffrey Epstein
The report sheds light on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s involvement in documents about Jeffrey Epstein, released by the U.S. Department of Justice. These documents reveal Epstein’s influence network and exploitation of women.
British police are investigating claims that Mountbatten-Windsor shared confidential information with Epstein during his time as a U.K. trade envoy. There are ongoing investigations into possible misconduct, with appeals for witnesses.
Since his relocation to the Sandringham Estate, Mountbatten-Windsor has maintained a low profile. Recently, he was seen with a noticeable bruise, described as due to a ‘nonserious medical condition’ by The Times of London, without citing sources.