Prince Andrew faces calls to reveal terms of Royal Lodge agreement after fresh scandals

Friends of the King have claimed King Charles would like his younger brother to leave Royal Lodge, but cannot compel him to do so, as Andrew holds a legally binding lease that runs until 2078.

Under the agreement with the Crown Estate, the 65-year-old can remain at the residence provided he meets the requirement to maintain the building.

He is believed to have paid £1million for the lease in 2003 and spent a further £7million on renovations, in addition to an estimated annual rent of £260,000.

The arrangement has raised questions about how Andrew funds the property, given his lack of income following the King’s decision to end his £1million annual allowance. His only known earnings come from a modest Royal Navy pension.

Commentators have urged the Crown Estate, which manages the property, to release the full terms of the lease.

Norman Baker, a royal author and former Liberal Democrat minister, told the Sunday Times: “The public at large are very clear that Andrew is disgracing this country and the Royal Family.

“If Andrew is not willing to move from Royal Lodge to a residence more befitting of his diminished status, it is clear the terms of the lease need to be brought forward into the public domain.

“All leases have some kind of break clause, so the public must know how he has been able to remain there, and on what terms he could be forced to leave.”

Andrew Lownie, a royal author, said: “I understand that Prince Andrew did not inherit Royal Lodge but was allowed to make an arrangement with the Crown Estate — with no other bidder involved. I think it is important for transparency that the full details of that arrangement are made public and why the property — in effect public property — was only offered to him.”

Royal Lodge is not a grace and favour residence but is held on a commercial lease from the Crown Estate.

The agreement requires Andrew to “repair, renew, uphold, clean and keep in repair and where necessary rebuild.”

A 2005 National Audit Office report concluded that granting the lease to Andrew was “appropriate in view of the over-riding need to maintain close management control over Royal Lodge,” but acknowledged this “need clearly constrained the Crown Estate’s ability to realise the highest market value for such a property.”

The 75-year lease can only be passed to named members of Andrew’s immediate family after his death.

Royal Lodge is a substantial estate covering 40 hectares in Windsor Great Park.

Beyond its gated entrance lies a 30-room, seven-bedroom Grade II-listed house, alongside a gardener’s cottage, six staff residences, and a “police suite” for security officers.

On Friday, Andrew was forced to put his dukedom into abeyance following emails that emerged which showed he maintained contact with Jeffrey Epstein after 2010, despite claiming to have cut ties with the convicted sex offender.

Police are also investigating claims that Andrew instructed his private security team to “dig dirt” on his accuser, Virginia Giuffre, including obtaining her social security number.

A Palace source has told GB News that allegations against Prince Andrew should be examined in an appropriate way.

Even if Andrew remains at Royal Lodge for now, renewed efforts to remove him are expected once his nephew, Prince William, becomes king.

In an interview with Canadian actor and comedian Eugene Levy, Prince William said he wanted to ensure the monarchy he will one day lead was “fit for purpose”, adding: “Change is on my agenda. Change for good. I don’t fear it.”

Sources told The Sunday Times that when William becomes king, Andrew will be excluded from royal life, including both public and private events such as coronations and state occasions.