Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s Royal Lodge Rental Income Scrutinized

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, brother of King Charles III, received income from renting out three cottages at Royal Lodge, according to a report by a British public spending watchdog. The report adds to the scrutiny he faces following revelations about his association with Jeffrey Epstein.

Mountbatten-Windsor resided at the 30-room Royal Lodge estate in Windsor without paying rent until February. He was asked to leave after new information about his ties to Epstein emerged. The National Audit Office, the public spending watchdog, released a report on Friday detailing that Mountbatten-Windsor earned income from leasing these cottages. However, the report noted that the cottages had been unoccupied since April, and the rent amounts charged remain unknown.

The report stated, “In the case of Royal Lodge, three cottages on the estate were sublet with income generated payable to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor,” while acknowledging that the properties had been vacant since April. The report further mentioned, “We do not know what rent was charged.”

Mountbatten-Windsor was required to pay a ‘peppercorn’ rent, a traditional British practice where a nominal fee ensures a valid lease. The audit office clarified that this lease effectively costs him zero pounds. In 2003, he paid £1 million (approximately $1.35 million) for the lease and invested £7.5 million for property refurbishment in 2005.

The report revealed that his Royal Lodge lease provided him the option to sublet, a common provision in royal property leases, allowing income generation with the Crown Estate’s permission.