Prince Andrew jeopardises King Charles as Parliament begins probe into Royal Lodge’s rent

Following Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s approval, members of the British Parliament are demanding transparency from the Crown Estate and the HM Treasury (His Majesty’s Treasury) regarding the rent payment and lease arrangement for Prince Andrew’s residence, the Royal Lodge.

Per The Guardian, “Now, the public accounts select committee (PAC), chaired by veteran Conservative MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, has asked the Treasury and the crown estate to provide details on the 30-room property’s lease and explain the rationale behind it by 28 November.”

For the record, Andrew’s lease for his Windsor Park estate was arranged for 75 years, after he paid £1 million for it in 2003. He has since paid “peppercorn” rent for the property, “which is a legal term used in leases to show that rent technically exists, so the lease is valid.”

In his letter, drafted on behalf of PAC, Clifton-Brown stated, “There is considerable and understandable public interest in the spending of public money in relation to Prince Andrew, which in part stems from the fact that he is no longer a working royal and from serious and disturbing allegations made against him.”

It is important to note that Prince Andrew has shared the Royal Lodge with ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, ever since he purchased it from the Crown Estate. While reports have emerged that the disgraced couple are currently in advanced talks with representatives for the Estate and King Charles regarding a voluntary exit from their royal quarters.