Prince Andrew Relinquishes £13,000-a-Year Crown Estate Cottage Lease
The former Prince Andrew has reportedly given up his lease on a Crown Estate property, marking the second such surrender since his departure from Royal Lodge last year. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Duke of York, is said to have requested termination of his tenancy at East Lodge, a Grade II-listed cottage near Sunninghill Park in Berkshire, which cost approximately £13,000 annually.
Property Details and Historical Context
According to lease documents reviewed by the BBC, Andrew initiated his tenancy at East Lodge in February 1998, initially paying up to £3,500 per year for the Crown Estate property. Over the subsequent nearly three decades, the rent escalated by nearly £10,000, reflecting inflation-linked increases stipulated in the agreement. By 2020, the annual rent had risen to £8,047, and documents from late August 2025 indicated it had reached £12,922.
The property, situated close to his former personal residence in Sunninghill Park, Berkshire, was believed to have served as staff accommodation. Andrew maintained his tenancy through an arrangement with the Crown Estate, allowing him to retain the lease for months after vacating Royal Lodge in late 2025. His tenancy was originally set to conclude in July 2027 but is now ending prematurely following media scrutiny.
Financial Implications and Royal Fallout
The move to relinquish East Lodge raises questions about Andrew's financial capacity, as the rent exceeded half of his declared annual income. In 2024, King Charles III revoked Andrew's £1 million annual royal allowance amid ongoing controversy linked to his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to this association but was left with a £20,000 annual Naval pension to cover expenses, including an estimated £3 million yearly security bill.
Andrew's exit from Royal Lodge in late 2025 followed sustained public outrage and revelations, effectively expelling him from royal family activities. A lease released in October 2025 revealed he paid a nominal "one peppercorn" rent for the 30-bedroom mansion for over two decades after signing a 75-year lease and paying £1 million in 2004.
Market Comparison and Estate Response
East Lodge's rent of around £13,000 per year contrasts sharply with local rental prices in the Berkshire area, which typically range from £2,000 to £7,500 per month. The Crown Estate confirmed in a statement that they received a request for early lease termination, noting the property's status within their portfolio. This development underscores the ongoing adjustments in Andrew's living arrangements and financial management post-royal duties.
The surrender of East Lodge adds to the scrutiny of Andrew's property holdings and expenditures, highlighting the broader implications of his reduced royal role and income. As he steps back from Crown Estate properties, questions persist about his future housing and financial stability in the wake of continued public and media attention.
