Prince Andrew’s long-running residency at Royal Lodge has once again ignited controversy — and this time, the revelation is as startling as it is damaging to public perception of the monarchy. According to documents obtained by The Times, the Duke of York has not paid rent on his 30-room Windsor mansion for two decades. While he initially paid £1 million to lease the property in 2003 and spent a further £7.5 million on refurbishments, the unredacted copy of his lease reveals that his annual rent amounts to “one peppercorn (if demanded).” This effectively means that Andrew has enjoyed residence in one of Britain’s grandest royal homes without paying meaningful rent for years — a revelation that has triggered outrage among taxpayers and campaigners calling for greater transparency in royal finances.
The deal, which runs until 2078, was approved by the Crown Estate under the understanding that Andrew’s costly renovations would offset what would otherwise have been rent of around £260,000 per year. However, under the terms of the lease, if he vacates the mansion before 2078, the Crown Estate could actually owe him roughly half a million pounds in compensation. This extraordinary arrangement — now public due to pressure from MPs — has only deepened concerns over Andrew’s perceived “royal perks,” particularly given that he no longer receives public funds and has been stripped of his royal duties and titles following the fallout from his association with Jeffrey Epstein.
The Daily Mail reports that the discovery has reignited questions over how Prince Andrew can afford the running costs of the lavish property, especially since he is not believed to have received a significant inheritance from Queen Elizabeth II or the Queen Mother. Those close to the family suggest that he now depends largely on private investments and the occasional assistance of his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, with whom he continues to share Royal Lodge. The couple’s shared domestic arrangement, once viewed as a sign of enduring friendship, has now become a symbol of Andrew’s determination to cling to the remnants of his royal privilege.
King Charles, insiders reveal, has for years urged his younger brother to downsize to a more modest residence — reportedly offering Frogmore Cottage, formerly occupied by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The King believes Andrew’s insistence on maintaining an extravagant lifestyle has been at the root of many of his troubles, including his ill-fated social circle and financial instability. But Andrew has repeatedly refused to leave, citing his “cast-iron” 75-year lease, which legally prevents the King from evicting him as long as he meets its basic terms.
Behind palace walls, the dispute has caused mounting frustration. Senior courtiers see the issue as not only a matter of optics but one of principle, especially at a time when King Charles has been championing a leaner, more modern monarchy. Yet, while Charles continues to push for reform, his brother’s immovable stance — and the public’s growing anger over his apparent financial privileges — threaten to undermine that effort.
Adding to the tension, Andrew’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, recently withdrew from a high-profile charity ball in London amid the renewed media scrutiny surrounding their father. While they have maintained low public profiles, their absence did little to deflect attention from the scandal that continues to shadow their family.
Royal Lodge, once the beloved home of the late Queen Mother, is a property steeped in royal history and prestige. But for all its grandeur, it has become a financial burden — and a political flashpoint. Sources at Windsor describe it as a “money pit,” with endless upkeep costs and rising maintenance bills. The revelation that Andrew may not have the resources to sustain it, yet refuses to leave, adds to the image of a prince detached from both public sentiment and financial reality.
For King Charles, this episode could not come at a more inconvenient time. The monarch, who recently made an emotional visit to Manchester following a terror attack on a local synagogue, has been striving to project stability and unity amid wider challenges facing the royal family. Yet once again, headlines about his brother’s questionable arrangements have diverted attention from his leadership and reignited debates about royal privilege in the modern age.
As scrutiny intensifies, one thing is clear: Prince Andrew’s hold on Royal Lodge has become more than just a personal matter — it is a test of the monarchy’s ability to balance tradition with accountability. The question now is not just whether Andrew can afford to stay, but whether the institution itself can afford the reputational cost of letting him.
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