Documents reveal the disgraced royal pays only a symbolic rent despite King Charles cutting off his allowance and security
Fresh revelations have shed light on how Prince Andrew continues to reside in the grand Royal Lodge at Windsor without paying rent, even after King Charles withdrew his financial support and security in 2024 in hopes of prompting him to move out.
The King had reportedly hoped that by ending Andrew’s annual allowance and protection, his brother would struggle to afford the property’s upkeep and eventually vacate the residence. However, newly uncovered documents obtained by The Times show that Andrew’s lease terms make that unlikely.
According to the papers, Andrew has not paid any rent for the past two decades. His lease, signed in 2003, sets the rent at “one peppercorn (if demanded)” per year — a purely symbolic amount that makes the agreement legally valid but financially meaningless. The lease also allows Andrew and his family, including his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and their daughters, to live in the property until 2078.
The former Duke is said to have paid around £1 million for the lease and another £7.5 million toward renovations completed in 2005. Should he ever choose to give up the property, the Crown Estate would reportedly owe him about £558,000.
This disclosure comes just after Andrew, through Buckingham Palace, confirmed that he would no longer use his royal titles or honours, including his dukedom and the Order of the Garter, following renewed scrutiny over his association with the late Jeffrey Epstein.
The revelations further complicate King Charles’ attempts to downsize the royal estate and distance the monarchy from controversy.
