Former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor obtained income by subletting three cottages on Royal Lodge’s property, where he lived for two decades paying only a symbolic peppercorn rent. A report from National Audit Office released this Friday details the living arrangements of members of the royal family. His daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, occupy palace properties with rents below market value, funded by Privy Purse of King Charles III.
The document provides data on how different residences are granted and financed within the monarchy.
Royal Lodge hosted authorized subletting
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor occupied Royal Lodge, a 30-bedroom mansion near Windsor Castle, beginning in 2003. The lease allowed him to sublet three of the property’s eight cottages. Ele did this for more than 20 years, according to the report. The exact amount received was not disclosed by the audit.
The arrangement ended in April 2026, when the cottages became vacant. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor left Royal Lodge and moved to King’s Sandringham Estate. Críticos questioned the transparency regarding the gains obtained from subleasing.
- Três cottages were sublet directly by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
- The 2003 contract provided for peppercorn rent for the main mansion
- The cottages were part of a set of eight structures on the property
- Sublocação was allowed, but values remain unknown
- Arranjo lasted until April 2026
Filhas occupy rent-controlled properties
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie live in properties within palaces paid for by their uncle. Beatrice rental is in apartment in St. James’s Palace. The one in Eugenie is in cottage in Kensington Palace. Ambos are set at a percentage between 50% and 68% of the market value in recent years.
Elas are not considered working royals and maintain jobs outside of official duties. Payments come from the king’s private funds. The report lists 11 working royals who receive free housing in palaces for official duties, including King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Catherine.
Audit report Contexto
National Audit Office analyzed residential arrangements managed by Crown Estate and Royal Household. The study was requested after questions about transparency in contracts such as Royal Lodge. The document does not assess whether the agreements represent good use of public resources.
Ele highlights that terms vary depending on the purpose of the housing and the provider. Sete family members occupy five properties leased from Crown Estate with different terms, which include initial payments and renovation costs.
Ligações with Epstein and recent developments
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor appears in documents about Jeffrey Epstein released in Estados Unidos. Ele denies any wrongdoing. In February, he was arrested and questioned by British police over allegations of misconduct in public office. Não was accused.
Ele has rarely appeared in public since changing to Sandringham. Recentemente, was seen with a bruise on his face, attributed to a non-serious medical condition.
Arranjos for other family members
The report mentions that Prince William and Catherine pay rent for a family home near Windsor, worth £307,200 annually. Outros royals like Prince Edward and Sophie also receive housing support tied to official duties.
Buckingham Palace stated that the document is in line with the royal house’s commitment to transparency. The text should serve as a basis for discussions in Parlamento about the costs and management of these properties.
The focus of the audit is on allocation mechanisms and the different levels of financial contribution from occupants.