Overview
- An investigation reported that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor paid about £1,600 a month for a four-bedroom St James’s Palace flat for Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, far below listings near £20,000, with potential savings estimated at up to £3.1 million over 14 years.
- The same flat received a £250,000 taxpayer-funded refurbishment when Andrew’s lease began in 2008, according to the reports.
- The Public Accounts Committee is preparing an inquiry into Crown Estate leasing practices following disclosures about preferential arrangements linked to Andrew’s residences.
- The Crown Estate has told MPs that Andrew is unlikely to receive roughly £500,000 in compensation after surrendering the Royal Lodge lease following a November inspection that identified required repairs.
- Crown Estate information indicates the Prince and Princess of Wales hold a 20-year non-assignable lease for Forest Lodge on open-market rent, while the inquiry is also set to examine deals such as Bagshot Park and the reported £225 monthly rent paid by Princess Alexandra.