It has been revealed that the disgraced Prince has barely paid rent for Royal Lodge since 2003 – further fuelling calls for him to move out of the sprawling mansion
Prince Andrew’s controversies show no sign of slowing down as it has now been revealed that the former duke has barely paid any rent on Royal Lodge for more than two decades.
The revelation helps to explain how he and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson have been able to remain in the sprawling 30-room estate. And it will also likely add to the ongoing pressure for him to finally give it up.
Andrew and Sarah live together in separate wings at the Lodge, despite divorcing in 1996. But calls for the scandal-ridden former couple to evict the sprawling property are now at an all-time high.
As such, there has been speculation as to where Andrew can go. In the past, it was suggested that he will take up residence in Frogmore Cottage – formerly Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s home.
But now a new property has been suggested for the beleaguered Prince – the Castle of Mey, the late Queen Mother’s cherished 16th-century home in the far north of Scotland.
It might not be Andrew’s first choice, however. Mey is a very remote village which lies 6 miles (10 kilometres) west of John o’ Groats – which, in 2010, was named ‘Scotland’s most dismal town’ by Urban Realm magazine, the Daily Mail reports.
Carbuncles judge Drew Mackie said at the time: “Having cycled 800 miles from Land’s End to get here I would wonder why I bothered. This is the most anti-climactic tourist attraction that I know – and the UK is not lacking in these. An air of dereliction hangs over the place. Not surprising as the main hotel building is derelict and the most striking feature is a large car park.
“Various tourist haunts hang around this and give the impression of not wanting to look at each other like early arrivals at a party. The whole effect is augmented by a series of sheds and caravans, lurking with tourist intent.”
It might be a hard sell for Andrew, who has clearly enjoyed the many privileges and status afforded to him by his birth.
It comes after a copy of Andrew’s leasehold agreement on his grace and favour Windsor mansion, Royal Lodge, seen by the Press Association, shows he has paid “one peppercorn (if demanded)” in rent per year since 2003.
Andrew was cut off financially by the King last year, leaving his £20,000 a year naval pension as his only source of declared income.
He was previously believed to have paid £1m for the lease, and a “notional” £260,000 per year rent from 2003, as well as committing to fund refurbishment of the property worth £7.5m.
The lease agreement reveals the notional rent would only be paid if he failed to do the works, meaning he could pay a “peppercorn rent”.
The Crown Estate, which manages Crown properties for the benefit of taxpayers, confirmed the Royal Lodge is now held on a peppercorn rent, with a value of “nil” having been recorded in a National Audit Office report. Andrew must still pay for the buildings’ upkeep.
The lease agreement also confirms that the Crown Estate would need to pay Andrew around £558,000 if he gave up the lease. He would be due a £185,865 a year compensatory sum until year 25 of the agreement is reached in 2028.
