Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor earned private income by subletting three cottages on the Royal Lodge estate while paying a nominal peppercorn rent [1].
The findings follow a National Audit Office investigation into royal residential property arrangements. This report highlights potential discrepancies in how royal estates are managed and the transparency of public-fund usage [1], [2].
According to the report, the subletting occurred on the Royal Lodge estate in Windsor, England [1], [5]. The activity continued for more than 20 years [3]. The estate spans 99 acres and contains eight buildings [4].
While Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor paid only a peppercorn rent to the Crown Estate, he collected private payments from the tenants of those three cottages [1], [2]. The investigation aimed to assess the impact of these arrangements on the public purse and ensure accountability in royal property management [1].
The report also detailed other financial arrangements within the royal family. King Charles used his private funds to pay the rent for Princess Beatrice, and Princess Eugenie [2].
This disclosure comes as part of a broader effort by the National Audit Office to review the financial transparency of the monarchy's residential holdings [1]. The report was released in June 2024 [1].
“Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor earned private income by subletting three cottages on the Royal Lodge estate”
The revelation of a 'peppercorn rent' arrangement—where a nominal fee is paid to maintain a legal contract—contrasted with the generation of private profit suggests a loophole in the oversight of royal estates. By subletting properties that are effectively subsidized by the Crown Estate, the occupant was able to create a personal revenue stream from public-interest assets, raising questions about the ethical standards of royal property usage.
