Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s gets bad news about £488,000 from King Charles

The demands that are being made of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, should he wish for his payout after surrendering his lease on the Royal Lodge early have just been broken down by an expert litigator.

The litigator in question is Bryan Johnston, and he serves as a property litigation partner at law firm Dentons.

According to Hello! he explains that with Andrew’s case, being forced out of Royal Lodge due to the overwhelming media scrutiny (that’s erupted from his public dealings with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender,) there are key aspects that make his pay out difficult to confirm.

In his own words he explains that just like with the Wales’ and their ‘forever home’ at Forest Lodge, there is a 20-year Common Law Tenancy law that means, “it contains a mechanism that allows the tenant to surrender his interest early upon giving not less than 12 months' notice.”

However, he did make it clear that “it is important to note however that even [after] the surrender is triggered, Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor remains fully liable for complying with all lease obligations up to the date of surrender.”

And “these include in respect of repair and redecoration,” both. Also “complying with these obligations could be very costly, especially if the property is in a poor state of repair and condition.”

So “whilst he is entitled to the surrender premium, the Crown Estate is strictly entitled to recover damages arising from any losses it suffers as a result of Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor not adhering to the lease covenants,” Mr Johnston said.

Perhaps it also may be the case that “these costs could exceed the value of Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor's surrender payment,” he said before signing off.