King Charles has privately made funds available to cover Prince Andrew’s repair and restoration bill linked to Royal Lodge, adding a fresh chapter to the long-running property issue. According to Hello Magazine, the money came from the King’s private income so the Crown Estate would be reimbursed after Andrew’s lease on the Windsor property was formally surrendered. The former prince had been living at the 30-room Grade II-listed house for nearly two decades with Sarah Ferguson before relocating to Marsh Farm on the Sandringham Estate.
Prince Andrew Leaves Royal Lodge After Lease Surrender
The financial settlement followed the official end of Andrew’s lease, which was handed back more than 50 years early. The Crown Estate received £1.5 million after £302,000 in compensation due to Andrew was deducted from £1.8 million in dilapidation costs. That £1.5 million sum will be covered by the funds made available by the King. The arrangement closes one part of a dispute that has drawn attention for months, especially after reports about the condition of the property and questions over who would ultimately bear the cost.
Crown Estate Explains £302,000 Compensation Clause
Andrew was entitled to compensation under the terms of his lease because he surrendered it within the first 25 years. A Crown Estate spokesperson said: "The lease for Royal Lodge has ended and our focus now is firmly on its future use and the opportunities to generate additional financial value for the nation from its early return." The compensation clause was included because of Andrew’s £7.5 million refurbishment payment in 2005. The property will now be marketed by two nationally recognised agents for its proposed future use.
Emily Nash Addresses Public Reaction to the Payment
Royal editor Emily Nash had previously pointed to the likelihood of compensation if Andrew left early, while also noting the public mood around the issue. "Andrew could still receive hundreds of thousands of pounds in compensation for having left Royal Lodge before the end of his lease. That is something that I think will really upset people given everything that has gone on," said Emily Nash according to Hello Magazine. She also noted that the final amount would depend on the state of the house, which had faced reports of peeling paint and repairs being needed.
Prince Andrew Faces Separate Police Action Case
The property settlement comes alongside a separate legal battle involving Andrew and Thames Valley Police. As reported by Hello Magazine, he is taking legal action over his February arrest, alleging that personal items were taken from his home. The King’s private money is not expected to fund that case. At a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice, both sides agreed that the search warrants used to raid two of Andrew’s properties earlier this year were unlawful. However, the criminal investigation into alleged misconduct in public office during his time as UK trade envoy is continuing.
