Former Prince Andrew had to move out of his royal estate.Image: keystone
12/02/2025, 9:44 p.m12/02/2025, 9:44 p.m
British ex-Prince Andrew, who was demoted to citizen in the Epstein scandal, is unlikely to receive any compensation for moving out of his luxury estate on the grounds of Windsor Castle. This emerges from a response from the “Crown Estate”, which manages the real estate, to the Parliamentary Committee on Public Budgeting. King Charles III had the exodus. arranged.
Theoretically, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor (65), who was stripped of all titles and honors because of his proximity to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, would be entitled to around 488,000 pounds (the equivalent of around 555,000 euros) because he has to move out before the end of his 75-year rental agreement. The luxury property, the Royal Lodge, is dilapidated and in need of repair, so the ex-prince will “in all probability” not be entitled to any compensation, the “Crown Estate” said.
Andrew had taken over the property for a “peppercorn” of rent – he doesn’t pay rent. However, he had paid around £8.5 million (€9.7 million) for renovations at the start of the contract in 2003. Theoretically, he would get some of that back for moving out early if the property was in perfect condition.
Unlike Andrew, William and Kate pay market rent.Image: keystone
William and Kate do it differently
According to the information, Andrew announced in accordance with the contract that he would return the property on October 30, 2026. A move out is expected shortly after Christmas. He will be moving to a property in Sandringham, Norfolk. The fact that he does not have to pay any rent for the Royal Lodge sparked public outrage and raised questions about the “Crown Estate”.
The “Crown Estate” is a portfolio of real estate, usage rights and agricultural land that formally belongs to the British monarch but is managed independently. A large portion of the income flows into the state treasury. The chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, has now announced an investigation into the “Crown Estate”.
The answers to the parliamentary committee also show that heir to the throne Prince William (43) and Princess Kate (43) have signed a 20-year contract for their new home on the Windsor site. According to the information, both pay a “market rent” – unlike Andrew. (sda/dpa)