Former Prince Andrew earned income by subletting cottages on an estate rented for free

London – 05.06.2026: A recent report from the UK National Audit Office (NAO) revealed that former Prince Andrew, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, generated income by subletting three cottages on the Royal Lodge estate, despite living there himself without paying rent. 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 occupy the property for a nominal “peppercorn” rent per year. He made an upfront payment of one million pounds sterling and committed to investing about 7.5 million pounds in renovation works. Despite these commitments, he lived free of charge in this 30-room villa for more than two decades.

The NAO report also shows that three of the estate’s eight cottages were sublet by the former prince. The income generated from these went directly to him, while he paid no rent for the main building. The report does not specify the amounts of rental income, which has drawn criticism from politicians such as Margaret Hodge. She has called for full disclosure to make the arrangements transparent.

Additionally, the report examines the residential situation of Andrew’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Both occupy royal residences in London with rent paid from private funds of Charles III, their uncle. This arrangement has sparked debate over the use of public funds for family members who do not perform official royal duties.

These revelations come at a time when the British monarchy is increasingly pressured to review its financial practices and increase transparency. the public and policymakers are demanding a thorough investigation into the royal family’s financial arrangements to ensure responsible and fair management of public funds.

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

The government and the royal household now face the challenge of restoring lost public trust. This involves communicating clear and transparent information about financial agreements and, where appropriate, making adjustments to comply with modern standards of accountability.

These developments could, in the long term, change public perception of the British monarchy and reignite debate over the funding and management of royal residences.