The financial affairs of Prince Andrew have come under renewed scrutiny, with questions raised about how the disgraced royal funds his lavish lifestyle despite having no visible means of support. The Duke of York, who stepped down from royal duties in 2019 following his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, continues to reside at the 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, a property he acquired in 2003.
Official records show Andrew paid a one-off sum of £1 million for the lease after the death of his grandmother, the Queen Mother, and spent £7.5 million on refurbishments. He pays no rent but is required to maintain the property. Recent reports suggest the mansion needs £2 million in repairs, including addressing peeling paint and black mould. Additionally, his police security costs an estimated £3 million annually, after King Charles stopped funding it.
Andrew's only declared income is a £20,000-a-year navy pension. Until 2010, he received £249,000 annually from the public purse as a working royal. The Guardian's 2023 investigation found he received nearly £13 million in public funds over four decades. After 2019, the late Queen and King Charles reportedly provided a £1 million annual allowance from private wealth, but Charles is said to have stopped this payment last year amid pressure for Andrew to downsize.
Political figures have called for greater transparency. Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick said, 'It’s about time Prince Andrew took himself off to live in private and make his own way in life.' Prime Minister Keir Starmer has backed proper scrutiny of Andrew's housing arrangements, and a committee of senior MPs has requested more details. The mystery of Andrew's finances, long shielded by royal secrecy and confidential dealings with wealthy foreigners, now faces unprecedented public and political pressure.
