Former Prince Andrew made money by subletting cottages on an estate without paying rent

London – 05.06.2026: A recent report by the British National Audit Office (NAO) revealed that former Prince Andrew, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, earned money through the subletting of three cottages on the Royal Lodge estate, although he himself lived there rent-free. This raises significant questions about the appropriateness and transparency of financial arrangements within the British royal family.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor signed a 75-year lease for Royal Lodge in 2003, allowing him to live on the estate for a nominal annual rent known as a “peppercorn.” He made an upfront payment of one million pounds and committed to investing around 7.5 million pounds in renovation work. Despite these commitments, he lived rent-free in the 30-room villa for more than twenty years.

The NAO report also shows that three of the eight cottages on the property were sublet by the former prince. The income from these sublets was collected directly by Andrew, while he paid no rent for the main building. The report did not provide precise figures regarding the amount of the income, prompting criticism from politicians such as Margaret Hodge. She called for full disclosure to make the arrangements transparent.

In addition, the report sheds light on the housing situation of Andrew’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Both live in royal residences in London, the rent for which is paid from the private funds of King Charles III, their uncle. This arrangement has fuelled discussions about the use of public funds for family members who do not hold official roles in the monarchy.

The revelations come at a time when the British monarchy is increasingly under pressure to review its financial procedures and increase transparency. Both the public and policymakers are calling for a thorough investigation into financial arrangements within the royal family in order to ensure the responsible and fair use of public funds.

Overall, the findings of the NAO report cast a critical light on the financial practices of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and his family. Calls for greater transparency and accountability regarding the use of royal residences and related financial transactions are likely to increase in the coming months.

The government and the royal household must now face the challenge of regaining the public’s lost trust. Clear and transparent information about financial arrangements is needed, along with possible adjustments to comply with current standards of accountability.

In the long term, these developments could change public perceptions of the British monarchy and reignite the debate over the funding and operation of royal residences.