Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor earned private income by subletting three cottages [1] on the Royal Lodge estate in Windsor, England.
The findings raise significant questions regarding the transparency of royal housing privileges and the use of public funds for non-working members of the royal family. This development follows a report released by the National Audit Office in early June.
According to the report, Mountbatten-Windsor received undisclosed private income from the three cottages [1]. While he collected rent from these properties, he paid only a peppercorn rent [2] for the main house on the estate. A peppercorn rent is a nominal sum that effectively means no rent was paid [2].
This financial arrangement has existed for more than 20 years [3]. The National Audit Office said such privileges allow individuals to generate personal wealth from state-owned or crown-linked assets without providing a corresponding service to the public.
The Royal Lodge estate serves as a focal point for the current investigation into property income. The report said there is a lack of oversight in how these subletting agreements were managed and whether the income should have been disclosed or taxed differently.
Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, has faced increasing scrutiny over his financial ties and his status within the royal household. The audit said the current system of housing grants may lack the necessary rigor to ensure fairness and accountability, especially for those no longer performing official duties.
“Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor earned private income by subletting three cottages on the Royal Lodge estate.”
The National Audit Office report signals a shift toward greater financial scrutiny of the British monarchy's non-working members. By exposing the gap between the nominal rent paid for the Royal Lodge and the private income generated from its outbuildings, the audit challenges the sustainability of traditional royal property privileges in a modern era of public accountability.
