Prince Andrew has come under fire again after a National Audit Office report revealed he charged 'peppercorn' rent for three cottages on the Royal Lodge estate while subletting them for private income. The report, which laid bare the Royal Family's accommodation costs, showed Andrew collected payments under his lease even after his association with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein became public.
Meanwhile, the Prince and Princess of Wales moved into Forest Lodge, a Grade II-listed manor on the Windsor Estate, in November last year. The Crown Estate paid nearly £400,000 to refurbish the property and three accompanying cottages before they moved in. The couple now pay £307,200 a year in rent, avoiding accusations of 'peppercorn' rent.
The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, also subleased part of his residence. Non-working royals Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have rent-free accommodation in royal palaces courtesy of their uncle, the King.
The Royal Family's property portfolio, including Highgrove House and Llwynywermod, is estimated to be worth over £6 billion, according to Benham & Reeves. The 20,000-acre Sandringham Estate, now owned by King Charles III, houses Prince Andrew at Marsh Farm after he moved from Royal Lodge and stopped subletting properties in April 2026.
