But it seems that he carried on renting East Lodge. The Crown Estate has suggested that the request to end his tenancy came this year following a Freedom of Information request submitted by the BBC in January about the property.
“Since then… we have received a request for us to consider an early termination of the lease,” the Crown Estate said.
The latest term of the lease was believed to have been due to end in July 2027.
Mountbatten-Windsor’s lease will now be terminated early, but the timetable will depend on arrangements for those living in the house when the former prince ceases to be involved.
With pressure increasing from the release of the Epstein files, Andrew moved from Royal Lodge to Sandringham in Norfolk in February, where he will live in a property owned by King Charles III and without any cost to the public purse.
The Crown Estate is an independent commercial body, whose profits go to the Treasury and which has an obligation to get best value for the public.
The Crown Estate says the day to day occupancy of the property is a private matter, separate to the tenancy – and previous documents have suggested that the lodge has been used by employees of the former Duke of York.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been approached for comment.