Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Criticized for Renting Cottages on Royal Estate

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor faced scrutiny after a report revealed he rented out three cottages at Royal Lodge, where he lived rent-free. This revelation added to controversies surrounding him, especially due to his past association with Jeffrey Epstein.

Mountbatten-Windsor, brother to King Charles III, resided in a 30-room house at the Windsor estate until February. His ousting followed new details regarding his connection to convicted sex offender Epstein. The National Audit Office, a British public spending watchdog, released a report that highlighted Mountbatten-Windsor’s income from subletting the cottages.

The report stated, “In the case of Royal Lodge, three cottages on the estate were sublet with income generated payable to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor,” but it also noted that these properties have been vacant since April. Details on the rent charged remain undisclosed.

Royal Lodge required Mountbatten-Windsor to pay a nominal “peppercorn” rent, a traditional token fee ensuring a valid lease. In practice, this rent equaled zero pounds. However, he previously paid 1 million pounds for the lease in 2003 and spent 7.5 million pounds on refurbishments in 2005.

The lease agreement included a clause allowing Mountbatten-Windsor to sublet the property. Such clauses also exist in other royal property leases, permitting income generation with approval from the Crown Estate.