Another Royal Benefitting from Peppercorn Rent Arrangement
Fresh revelations have uncovered that Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, enjoys a remarkably favourable rental agreement for his substantial Surrey mansion, mirroring the controversial deal previously held by his disgraced brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The discovery comes amidst ongoing scrutiny of royal finances and property arrangements.
The Bagshot Park Agreement
Prince Edward, the late Queen's youngest son, resides with his wife Sophie at the magnificent 120-room Bagshot Park estate in Surrey. According to reports, the Duke originally leased this Crown Estate property in March 1998 for a 50-year term at £50,000 per year.
The arrangement underwent significant changes when Edward invested £1.36 million into property renovations, after which his annual payment increased to £90,000. The lease was reportedly extended in 2007 through an agreement with Eclipse Nominees Limited.
Recent disclosures from The Times indicate the Duke made an upfront payment of £5 million for an extended 150-year lease, reducing his current financial obligation to just a peppercorn rent.
Contrasting Royal Circumstances
This revelation follows the earlier exposure of Prince Andrew's similar arrangement for Royal Lodge, where he secured a 75-year lease in 2003 for £1 million, committing to pay just one peppercorn annually "if demanded".
However, a crucial distinction exists between the two brothers' situations. While Andrew has been stripped of all royal titles following his association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and faces eviction from Royal Lodge, Prince Edward and Sophie remain working members of the Royal Family, actively representing King Charles both domestically and internationally while supporting numerous charitable causes.
Eviction Delays and Royal Dynamics
Andrew's scheduled departure from his 30-room Windsor mansion appears to be experiencing delays. Sources suggest the move to a more modest property on the King's private Sandringham estate, originally planned for early in the new year, might now be postponed until February.
The complexity of downsizing from such an extensive residence, combined with uncertainties about his new Norfolk home's readiness, has contributed to the hold-up. This delay means Andrew will spend one final Christmas at Royal Lodge, a development that reportedly brings relief to other senior royals.
Insiders describe the situation as potentially "quite awkward" had Andrew been present at Sandringham during the festive season when most senior family members traditionally gather. The extended timeline effectively maintains distance between the disgraced former prince and the working royal family during Christmas celebrations.
