Former Prince Andrew earned money by subletting cottages on a rent-free property

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

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor signed a 75-year lease for Royal Lodge in 2003, which allowed him to occupy the premises for a symbolic rent of a so-called “peppercorn” per year. For this, he paid an upfront amount of one million pounds and committed to investing around 7.5 million pounds in renovation work. Despite these obligations, he lived rent-free in the 30-room villa for more than twenty years.

The NAO report further shows that three of the eight cottages on the grounds were sublet by the former prince. The income generated went directly to Andrew, while he paid no rent for the main building. Concrete figures about the amount of rental income were not mentioned in the report, which drew criticism from politicians such as Margaret Hodge. She demanded comprehensive disclosure to make the circumstances transparent.

In addition, the report highlights the living situation of Andrew’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Both reside in royal residences in London, for which the rent is paid from private funds of King Charles III, their uncle. This arrangement has sparked discussions about the use of public funds for family members who do not carry out official royal duties.

The revelations come at a time when the British monarchy is increasingly under pressure to review its financial processes and provide transparency. Both the public and political decision-makers are demanding a thorough investigation into the financial arrangements within the royal family to ensure responsible and fair use of public funds.

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

The government and the royal house now face the challenge of regaining the lost trust of the population. Clear and transparent information about the financial arrangements as well as any necessary adjustments are needed to meet modern standards of accountability.

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