Prince Andrew is facing renewed calls from lawmakers to “return every penny” after it was revealed he has lived virtually rent free at his 30-bedroom Royal Lodge mansion in Windsor for more than 20 years.
Documents show that the Duke of York’s lease, signed in 2003, sets his annual rent at just “one peppercorn (if demanded),” raising fresh questions about the Crown Estate’s oversight of royal properties.
Members of the Commons Treasury Committee and the Public Accounts Committee have confirmed they may launch an investigation into how the Crown Estate managed the lease, examining whether such favourable terms were appropriate for a non-working royal.
Lawmakers condemned Andrew’s prolonged tenure at the mansion while suggesting that he should reimburse the Crown Estate for the rent he has effectively avoided paying.
The lease on Royal Lodge, which is largely a legal formality rather than a financial obligation, effectively allows Prince Andrew to live rent-free in the 30-room mansion, provided he covers maintenance costs.
Documents obtained by The Timesreveal that Andrew paid £1 million for the lease and contributed at least £7.5 million toward extensive refurbishments completed in 2005.
The agreement grants him and his family the right to occupy the Grade II-listed property until 2078.
Following the disclosures, MPs responsible for overseeing such arrangements suggested there may be grounds for further scrutiny.
“Where money flows, particularly where taxpayers’ money is involved, or taxpayers’ interests are involved, Parliament has a responsibility to have a light shine upon that,” said Dame Meg Hillier, Chairwoman of the Treasury Committee.
“We need to have answers,” Dame Meg Hillier told the Todayprogramme, echoing growing calls for transparency over Prince Andrew’s tenure at Royal Lodge.
Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokeswoman Lisa Smart went further, urging the Duke of York to make amends for the arrangement.
She said the exiled royal “should show some contrition by returning every penny of rent that he’s not paid while disgracing his office.”
The remarks from Dame Meg and Ms Smart add to mounting pressure on Andrew to vacate the 30-room mansion, which a source has described as his “last status symbol.”