Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor earned rental income by sub-letting three cottages on the Royal Lodge estate while paying a nominal pepper-corn lease [1], [5].
The revelations follow a National Audit Office (NAO) review into how public-funded property is utilized. The findings intensify scrutiny over the financial arrangements of the royal family and the use of crown assets for private gain.
The report, published in early June 2026, focuses on the 99-acre Royal Lodge estate in Windsor Great Park [2], [4]. The property includes a 30-room main house and a total of eight cottages [2], [3]. According to the dossier, Andrew sub-let three of these cottages [1].
This arrangement allowed him to generate potential annual rental income of £180,000 [6]. Records indicate this income generation continued for over two decades [7]. During this period, the rent Andrew paid for the primary lease of Royal Lodge remained nominal [5].
The NAO review was launched after controversy regarding the lease and the subsequent ejection of Andrew from Royal Lodge in 2025 [4], [8]. The report also highlights other financial dependencies within the family. Specifically, King Charles pays the rent for the palace accommodations used by Princess Beatrice, and Princess Eugenie [1], [2].
These findings have led to calls for a broader public inquiry into all royal finances [9]. Critics said that the disparity between the nominal costs paid by the former Duke and the market value of the rental income represents a misuse of public resources [9].
“Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor earned rental income by sub-letting three cottages on the Royal Lodge estate”
The NAO report exposes a systemic gap between the nominal costs of royal residency and the commercial value of estate assets. By allowing a former royal to profit from sub-letting public-funded properties while paying minimal lease costs, the arrangement creates a perceived conflict of interest. This likely accelerates political pressure for greater transparency and a formal audit of the Crown Estate's financial obligations.
