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Prince Andrew relinquishes East Lodge lease
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has requested to terminate his lease on East Lodge, a Crown Estate property near Windsor, the BBC has learned. The move follows his relocation to Sandringham earlier this year.
Property details and financial arrangements
East Lodge, a Grade II-listed 19th-century thatched cottage, is situated approximately five miles from Windsor. Documents obtained by the BBC reveal Mountbatten-Windsor has been paying an annual rent of nearly £13,000 for the property, which was reportedly used for staff accommodation.
The former Duke of York initially secured the tenancy in February 1998 at £3,500 per year. The rent was adjusted for inflation and renewed in 2020 at £8,047 annually. A review last August increased the rent to £12,922.
Context of recent property decisions
Mountbatten-Windsor's decision to end the lease comes after he vacated Royal Lodge in Windsor, his former residence, due to renewed scrutiny over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein.
In February, he moved to a property on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, owned by King Charles III, which incurs no public expense. The Crown Estate confirmed the termination request followed a Freedom of Information inquiry by the BBC in January.
Historical and financial background
East Lodge was retained as a separate arrangement after the 2007 sale of Sunninghill Park, Mountbatten-Windsor's former home, which sparked controversy. The property was purchased by the son-in-law of Kazakhstan's president for £15 million-£3 million above the asking price.
The Crown Estate, an independent commercial entity, manages royal properties with a mandate to secure value for taxpayers. Its handling of royal leases will be examined by MPs on the Public Accounts Committee later this year. Committee chair Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown stated the inquiry aims to enhance transparency in public-interest matters.
Next steps and public scrutiny
The lease on East Lodge was originally set to expire in July 2027, but the Crown Estate expects an early termination. The timeline depends on arrangements for current occupants, whose status remains private.
Mountbatten-Windsor has not commented on the lease termination. The Crown Estate emphasized that property occupancy is a private matter, distinct from the tenancy agreement.
