Prince Andrew has been implored to "return every penny" he did not pay in rent at Royal Lodge while "disgracing his office" by lawmakers.
The comments come as it emerged the King’s brother had lived effectively rent-free at his Windsor residence for over two decades, according to newly disclosed documents.
MPs on the Commons Treasury Committee and the Public Accounts Committee have revealed they may now investigate the Crown Estate’s handling of the lease.
A copy of the lease for Royal Lodge shows that Andrew's rent has been set at "one peppercorn (if demanded)" per year since 2003.
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A "peppercorn rent" is a legal term that means rent in name only. It is a symbolic amount included to make an agreement legally valid.
In practice, this means Andrew has not paid any rent on Royal Lodge since moving in over two decades ago.
The clause is a legal formality rather than a financial one, effectively allowing the prince to live in the 30-room mansion rent-free, provided he covers maintenance costs.
Documents obtained by The Times show Andrew paid £1million for the lease and at least £7.5million towards extensive refurbishments completed in 2005.
Prince Andrew has been implored to 'return every penny’ not paid in rent at Royal Lodge while 'disgracing his office'
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The arrangement allows him and his family to occupy the Grade II-listed property until 2078, according to reports in the outlet.
GB News has contacted Andrew's representatives and Buckingham Palace for comment.
Following the disclosures, MPs charged with investigating such matters suggested there would be grounds to analyse further.
"Where money flows, particularly where taxpayers’ money is involved, or taxpayers’ interests are involved, Parliament has a responsibility to have a light shine upon that," Chairwoman of the Treasury Committee Dame Meg Hillier said.
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Recently emerged documents suggest Andrew effectively paid no rent at his Windsor residence over two decades
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"We need to have answers," she told the Today programme.
Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokeswoman Lisa Smart went a step further and called for Prince Andrew to pay the rent he would have owed back.
She said the exiled royal: "Should show some contrition by returning every penny of rent that he’s not paid while disgracing his office."
Dame Meg and Ms Smart’s comments pile further pressure on Andrew to move out of Royal Lodge, which one source described as his "last status symbol".
Prince Andrew relinquished the use of his royal titles last week amid mounting scandals
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The royal has been facing calls to vacate the palatial residence for more modest accommodation amid the mounting scandals relating to his former relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and ties to China.
Norman Baker, a royal author and former Liberal Democrat minister, said: "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."
On Friday, Andrew announced he would "put my duty to my family and country first" and relinquish the use of his royal titles amid "continued accusations" against him.
In his statement, Andrew said that the "accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family".
"As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me," he concluded.
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