Unraveling Royal Finances: Should Prince Andrew Face Scrutiny Over His Royal Lodge Lease?

Prince Andrew is under scrutiny as Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey calls for him to appear before MPs regarding his lease for Royal Lodge, amid growing demands for transparency in royal finances. Davey addressed these concerns during a session of Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), urging a select committee inquiry into the Crown Estate, which manages the lease of Andrew’s Windsor mansion. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged the need for oversight of royal properties, but the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) suggested that due to a full agenda, they wouldn’t be initiating an immediate inquiry.

Sir Ed’s request emphasized the public’s concerns over whether the arrangement with the Crown Estate is appropriate, citing the unusually low rent paid by Andrew, which has reportedly only been a token annual payment. Instead of regular rent, the prince made substantial lump-sum payments for renovations, which totaled around £8 million, effectively allowing him to evade annual rent obligations for a 75-year lease.

Former Crown Estate commissioner Lord Curry dismissed calls for inquiry, stating that the estate would be “honour bound” to uphold the lease terms. However, Baroness Margaret Hodge, a former chair of the PAC, criticized the arrangement as a “rotten deal” for taxpayers, highlighting the critical lack of transparency in royal financial dealings. She noted that this case exemplifies broader issues regarding royal finances, described as ”mired in secrecy.”

The article also touches upon the royal family’s funding structures, including the Sovereign Grant, which comes from the public and is intended to support royal duties. After facing intense scrutiny due to his connections with the late Jeffrey Epstein, Andrew has already stepped back from royal duties and recently renounced his Duke of York title. In a related move, MP Rachael Maskell is proposing legislation that would give the king the authority to strip titles. Meanwhile, allegations against Andrew are reignited with the release of a memoir by Virginia Giuffre, where she claims she was sexually exploited by him, an allegation he continues to deny.