Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who faced disgrace, is under pressure to disclose the earnings he received from subletting cottages at Royal Lodge for over two decades. The former Duke of York had the opportunity to rent out three cottages at the Windsor property without paying much rent, as it is part of the Crown Estate, raising concerns about the lack of transparency in the arrangement.
The National Audit Office recently revealed this information in a report following an inquiry by the Public Accounts Committee into the Crown Estate’s dealings with the royal family. Mountbatten-Windsor, who lost his titles in October due to his connections with Jeffrey Epstein, had to relinquish his lease for Royal Lodge and now resides at Marsh Farm in Sandringham.
Baroness Margaret Hodge, the former chairwoman of the Public Accounts Committee, expressed alarm over the inability to determine the exact profits Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor accrued from subletting the properties. She emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in the royal family’s financial dealings.
The report did not specify the amount earned by the ex-prince through subletting or the duration of the sublets, citing the private nature of the agreements. Despite claims that the cottages were rented to staff at a rate covering maintenance costs, there are calls for full disclosure of financial details.
Jennie Bond, a royal expert, insisted that Mountbatten-Windsor should disclose the earnings from subletting and justify any profits made. She highlighted the need for transparency in light of the scrutiny surrounding the royal family’s financial affairs.
Additionally, the report disclosed that the King covers Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie’s accommodation expenses in royal residences despite their non-working royal status. This arrangement, established by the late Queen, has raised questions about the necessity for the sisters to reside rent-free in royal palaces given their personal wealth and careers.
As discussions on the financial arrangements within the royal family continue, there are growing calls for increased transparency and accountability to maintain public trust in the institution.