Read on Global NewsFormer Prince Andrew Generated Income from Subletting Cottages at Rent-Free Royal Lodge Estate
A recent National Audit Office report reveals that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, earned income by subletting three cottages on the Royal Lodge estate, where he lived rent-free for two decades. The report highlights ongoing concerns about transparency and the financial arrangements of senior royals, including the rent-controlled homes of his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, which are paid for by King Charles III.
A recent report from the U.K. National Audit Office (NAO) has shed light on the financial activities of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince Andrew. According to the report, he received income from renting out three cottages on the Royal Lodge estate, his former rent-free residence near Windsor Castle. This revelation has intensified public scrutiny of the financial arrangements surrounding the Royal Family, with questions raised about transparency and the use of public and private funds.
The NAO report, released in June 2026, confirms that Mountbatten-Windsor profited from subletting these properties. The text notes, "These properties have been vacant since April 2026," shortly after he vacated the estate. It also details that his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, live in rent-controlled homes owned by the Crown. These residences, located at Kensington Palace and St. James's Palace, are paid for by their uncle, King Charles III, through the Privy Purse, his private funds.
Details of the Royal Lodge Arrangement
The lease for the Royal Lodge, signed in 2003, allowed Mountbatten-Windsor to live there for a nominal "peppercorn rent." The property includes a 30-room mansion and eight cottages, three of which he was permitted to sublet. The income generated from these sublets went directly to him, though the exact amount was not disclosed in the report. This lack of specific financial data has been a point of contention. Labour member of the House of Lords, Margaret Hodge, commented on the omission, stating it was "shocking that the National Audit Office was not able to establish how much money Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor secured from the properties he let."
Context and Calls for Transparency
The audit was conducted at the request of lawmakers following revelations about Mountbatten-Windsor's alleged ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. These ties have dogged the Royal Family for over a decade. The former prince was stripped of his royal titles and forced to vacate the Royal Lodge earlier this year. He moved to the Sandringham estate and was arrested and questioned by police in February 2026 over allegations of misconduct in public office. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The NAO report highlights the broader context of royal housing, noting that 11 royals are granted free housing on palace properties in exchange for their public duties.
Buckingham Palace responded to the report by affirming its commitment to transparency. In a statement, they said the audit "is in line with the royal household’s commitment to transparency. We hope that the findings will help correct, clarify or contextualize a number of points regarding royal properties." The report has further fueled public and parliamentary interest in the financial structures of the monarchy, with ongoing calls for greater accountability and clarity regarding the use of public funds and royal assets.
