A Public Accounts Committee inquiry revealed that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor retained rental income from three cottages on his former Windsor estate while living rent-free under a 2003 agreement. He vacated the property in February, leaving a net £1.5m dilapidations debt to the Crown Estate after offsetting surrender fees, which King Charles settled. Lawmakers also scrutinized the organization's escalating overhead, noting that its chief executive's remuneration surged to £2.3m following a 106% pay increase.
Key points
Lawmakers recommended that the Crown Estate prohibit residential sub-letting by default i…: Lawmakers recommended that the Crown Estate prohibit residential sub-letting by default in all future lease agreements.
Parliamentary watchdogs raised concerns over whether lease rates charged to non-working r…: Parliamentary watchdogs raised concerns over whether lease rates charged to non-working royals accurately align with current market valuations.
The inquiry highlighted a need for the Crown Estate to diversify its geographic investmen…: The inquiry highlighted a need for the Crown Estate to diversify its geographic investments away from London and the South East.
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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was receiving up to £2,000 per month for sub-letting three cottages at his former home at Royal Lodge, when he didn't have to pay any rent himself, according to the public spending watchdog.
The Public Accounts Committee inquiry into the Crown Estate says the former Prince Andrew did not always rent out all the properties, so it cannot say how much the total might have been over more than 20 years of his time there.
The sub-letting income went to Mountbatten-Windsor, rather than his landlord the Crown Estate.
MPs on the committee have recommended that in future such leases should prohibit sub-letting, unless specifically agreed with the landlord.
Mountbatten-Windsor left his Royal Lodge home in Windsor in February, in the wake of revelations about his connections to the US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
He has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein and has been approached for comment.
The Public Accounts Committee has examined the leases on such royal properties as part of a wider inquiry into the management of the Crown Estate, which is…
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