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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been dominating the headlines this week, and today he is in the spotlight over the finances of his former royal home. The Crown Estate released details of Andrew’s surrender of the lease for Royal Lodge, and it quickly became clear that King Charles has personally paid the hefty final bill.
The Crown Estate revealed today that Andrew’s lease was handed back this month and that £1.8 million ($2.4 million) in dilapidation costs were paid. Because the lease was surrendered around 50 years early compensation of £302,000 ($400,000) was due, which meant that Andrew ended up owing around £1.5 million ($2 million).
T&C understands that King Charles made funds available from his private money to reimburse the sum to the Crown Estate. “The lease for Royal Lodge has ended and our focus now is firmly on its future use and the opportunities to generate additional financial value for the nation from its early return,” a spokesperson for The Crown Estate said today.
Former Prince Andrew took on the Royal Lodge lease in 2003, paying a “peppercorn” rent due to paying money upfront. He is understood to have spent around £7.5 million ($10 million) on renovations. Andrew moved out of the property in February this year after the scandal over his links to Jeffrey Epstein escalated. He now lives in a much smaller property on the King’s Sandringham Estate.
The money the King has paid is understood to be on top of the money he gives Andrew from his personal funds each year to fund his lifestyle. Earlier this week it was made clear by the Palace that the King does not want Andrew to use any of the money he gives him to pay for his legal action against Thames Valley Police.
Andrew took the Police to court to get the arrest warrants issued before his February arrest quashed. He was successful in this, but police have said that the investigation into him for suspected misconduct in public office continues. He has always denies any wrongdoing.
Town & Country Contributing Editor Victoria Murphy has reported on the British Royal Family since 2010. She has interviewed Prince Harry and has travelled the world covering several royal tours. She is a frequent contributor to Good Morning America. Victoria authored Town & Country book The Queen: A Life in Pictures, released in 2021.