Former Prince Andrew Earned Income by Subletting Cottages on Rent-Free Estate

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

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor signed a 75-year lease for the Royal Lodge in 2003, which allowed him to occupy the estate for a symbolic rent of a so-called “peppercorn” per year. In exchange, he paid an upfront sum of one million pounds and committed to investing around 7.5 million pounds in renovation work. Despite these obligations, he lived rent-free for over two decades in the 30-room villa.

The NAO report also reveals that three of the eight cottages on the property were sublet by the former prince. The income generated from this flowed directly to Andrew, while he did not pay rent for the main building. Specific figures regarding the rental income were not disclosed in the report, provoking criticism from politicians like Margaret Hodge. She called for extensive disclosure to make the arrangements transparent.

Furthermore, the report sheds light on the living situation of Andrew’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Both live in royal residences in London, whose rent is paid from private funds by King Charles III, their uncle. This arrangement has sparked discussion about the use of public funds for family members who do not perform official royal duties.

The revelations come at a time when the British monarchy is increasingly under pressure to review its financial operations and create transparency. Both the public and political decision-makers are demanding a thorough investigation of the financial arrangements within the royal family to ensure 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 more openness 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 now face the challenge of regaining lost public trust. Clear and transparent information about the financial agreements, as well as adjustments where necessary, are required to meet modern standards of accountability.

These developments could, in the long term, change the public perception of the British monarchy and reignite debate about the financing and operation of royal residences.