Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Sublet Cottages on Rent-Free Estate, June 05

The National Audit Office published its first royal property review in 20 years on June 5, revealing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor received undisclosed rental income from subletting three cottages on Royal Lodge while paying minimal rent to the Crown Estate. The report also shows King Charles funds accommodation for non-working royals Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie in central London palaces. These findings have triggered parliamentary scrutiny and criticism over taxpayer subsidies for royal family members.

How Andrew Profited From Royal Property

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor sublet three cottages on his Royal Lodge estate for more than two decades while paying a “peppercorn rent” to the Crown Estate. He paid £7.5 million upfront for repairs when he took the lease, which meant he avoided monthly rent payments. The NAO report confirmed he received undisclosed private income from the subletting arrangement, though the exact amount remains unknown.

Former Liberal Democrat minister Norman Baker said the arrangement showed “absolute total contempt for the taxpayer.” Sources suggested the subletting did not generate profit and only covered maintenance costs, but no financial details or rental agreements have been made public.

King Pays for Non-Working Royals’ Palace Homes

King Charles pays rent for Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie to live in royal palaces despite both being non-working royals. Beatrice lives in St James’s Palace and Eugenie in Kensington Palace. The rent is paid from the “privy purse,” the monarch’s personal money, at 60% of open market value because the properties require security vetting.

Beatrice’s rent is set at 68% of market value. The palaces themselves are maintained through the Sovereign Grant, funded by taxpayers. A Palace source claimed the rent covers publicly funded expenditure, but former parliamentary committee chair Margaret Hodge said it was “shocking” that non-working royals received such subsidies.

Parliament to Review Royal Property Deals

The Commons public accounts committee will investigate royal property arrangements following the NAO findings. Margaret Hodge raised concerns that the NAO could not establish how much money Andrew earned from subletting and that the report did not cover all Crown Estate properties.

The inquiry follows public outcry in October when it emerged Andrew was paying minimal rent on Royal Lodge before he was eventually evicted by King Charles. Hodge emphasized that the Crown Estate belongs to taxpayers and that “proper transparency and accountability” is required for the modern royal family.

Final Thoughts

The NAO report exposes significant gaps in royal property transparency, with Andrew’s subletting income undisclosed and non-working royals receiving taxpayer-funded accommodation. Parliament’s inquiry will determine whether current arrangements are sustainable.

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