Royal Lodge to Open for Rent from October as Andrew Vacates

Royal Lodge, the 30-room mansion where Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor lived for 23 years, will become available for lease from October after his departure in February. The Crown Estate now owns the property and is preparing it for new tenants, though prospective renters must pass strict security checks and cover £400,000 in annual maintenance costs. No other royal family members have expressed interest in the lease.

Why Andrew left and what happens next

Andrew vacated Royal Lodge in February following renewed scrutiny of his friendship with deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. King Charles pressured him to leave the Windsor Great Park estate. Andrew now lives at Marsh Farm, a five-bedroom property on the King’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk. His lease on Royal Lodge formally ends in October, at which point the Crown Estate can begin seeking new tenants. Until then, Andrew remains legally responsible for the property.

The steep cost of maintaining Royal Lodge

Annual upkeep on the 30-room mansion costs approximately £400,000 (around A$760,000). Property experts estimate substantial repairs could run £4 million to £5 million. The Crown Estate cannot convert the property into a hotel or commercial venue because its statutory duties require preserving the character of the royal park. Royal sources told the Mail on Sunday that the Crown Estate was relieved Andrew did not end his lease early, as that would have shifted ongoing costs to the Crown Estate rather than Andrew.

Strict conditions for future tenants

Any new tenant must pass thorough security checks and grant the royal family access to the Royal Chapel of All Saints, which sits on the grounds. The chapel hosted Princess Beatrice’s wedding in 2020 and a joint baptism for Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall’s sons in November 2021. No other royal family members have expressed interest in taking the lease, despite the property’s historic significance as the former home of the late Queen Mother.

Andrew’s undisclosed income from subletting

A June National Audit Office investigation revealed Andrew received undisclosed private income from subletting three cottages on the Royal Lodge estate for over two decades while paying only a peppercorn rent to the Crown Estate. His leasehold agreement showed he paid £1 million for the lease and then paid one peppercorn of rent per year if demanded. He also paid £7.5 million for refurbishments completed in 2005. Property experts estimate cottage rents could have ranged from £2,500 to £5,000 monthly, though the exact income generated was not disclosed.

Final Thoughts

Royal Lodge’s transition to the rental market reflects the Crown Estate’s business priorities and Andrew’s diminished standing. The property’s high maintenance costs and lack of royal interest signal a shift in how historic royal residences are managed.

FAQs

Disclaimer:

The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes.  Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.