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Royal Lodge, Prince Andrew’s residence in Windsor, has come under scrutiny as Members of Parliament question the value for money of his lease arrangement. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has raised concerns about whether the lease on the 30-room Royal Lodge is providing the best value for the money spent. Prince Andrew entered into a 75-year lease for the property in 2003, making a significant upfront payment that included funds for renovations to negate any rent responsibilities.
The PAC has requested explanations from the Crown Estate and Treasury regarding the reasoning behind the lease agreement by the end of November. With the increased focus on Prince Andrew due to his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, the late sex offender, there is growing public interest in how public funds are being utilized in relation to the prince’s accommodation at Royal Lodge. Despite denying any wrongdoing, Prince Andrew’s association with Epstein has brought additional attention to his financial arrangements.
Concerns have been raised over whether taxpayer funding has been used for property maintenance and what steps the Crown Estate plans to take to ensure value for money in future agreements with Prince Andrew. There are questions about whether the terms of the lease, particularly in terms of upkeep, are being upheld to maintain the historically significant royal residence. Prince Andrew, who recently relinquished titles including the Duke of York, has been residing at Royal Lodge since 2004 under the terms of the 75-year lease agreement signed with the Crown Estate.
Last week, details emerged regarding the financial aspects of Prince Andrew’s lease of Royal Lodge, shedding light on how he could afford the property. The arrangement allowed him to pay a symbolic yearly rent amount, if required at all, as specified in the lease document. Payments made upfront amounting to over £8 million essentially freed him from future rent obligations for the entire lease duration, based on an annual theoretical rent of £260,000. Calls have been made for the PAC to conduct an inquiry and request Prince Andrew’s testimony regarding his lease of Royal Lodge, although it remains uncertain if such an invitation could be enforced. The government has declined to allocate time for parliamentary debate on Prince Andrew’s titles or his taxpayer-funded residence
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