Labour MPs Demand Transparency Over Secret Funding Behind Duke’s Royal Lodge Lease
Prince Andrew’s ongoing clash with King Charles may take an unexpected turn, as Chancellor Rachel Reeves could become entangled in the controversy surrounding the Duke’s funding sources.
Labour MPs are pushing for clarity on how Prince Andrew is financing his stay at Royal Lodge, following reports that he secured undisclosed financial backing after losing his £1 million annual allowance from King Charles. The source of these funds remains a mystery, sparking calls for transparency, particularly given the Crown Estate’s financial ties to the Treasury, overseen by Reeves and her office.
Concerns are mounting that Andrew might be tapping into his former foreign business contacts, developed during his time as Britain’s trade envoy, to support his lavish lifestyle.
Leeds Labour MP Alex Sobel has demanded “full disclosure” of the financial arrangements, citing the importance of safeguarding the Royal Family’s reputation. York Central MP Rachael Maskell echoed these sentiments, highlighting the need for transparency, especially as the cost of the monarchy is set to rise by £45 million, reaching £132 million next year.
Maskell also questioned why Andrew, who stepped down from public duties in 2019 after his controversial Newsnight interview, continues to reside in the expansive Windsor mansion.
Despite relying on King Charles’s financial support in recent years, it has been confirmed that Andrew now has alternative funding, though the source remains undisclosed. Sir Michael Stevens, Keeper of the Privy Purse, recently assured the public that the funds are legitimate.
The dispute over Andrew’s refusal to leave Royal Lodge, where he holds a 75-year lease signed with the Crown Estate in 2003, has escalated tensions with King Charles. Although no longer a working royal, Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson continue to reside at the estate, intensifying the ongoing family feud and prompting calls for greater financial scrutiny.
