Inquiry into the Crown Estate Launched Following Controversy Over Former Prince Andrew

As controversy grew ahead of former Prince Andrew being stripped of all his titles, UK Politicians wrote to the Crown Estate expressing concern over his lease arrangements for Windsor property the Royal Lodge. Now, the Parliamentary committee behind the letter has announced an investigation into the Crown Estate, with its Chair saying, “the information provided clearly forms the beginnings of a basis for an inquiry.”

The Public Accounts Committee announced its inquiry today as it made public correspondence with the Crown Estate over the question of Royal Lodge and other properties leased to the royal family. It published the unreacted lease for Royal Lodge, which showed that Andrew paid rent of “one peppercorn (if demanded) per annum.” He did, however, pay £1 million upfront and £7.5 million on refurbishments, and today’s information showed he is unlikely to get any money back for the lease ending early “once dilapidations are taken into account.”

The correspondence also revealed that Prince William and Kate took out a 20-year lease on Forest Lodge in July 2025. “Following an approach from HRH The Prince of Wales and discussions with the Royal Household, the Commissioners were asked to consider entering into a lease of the Property to TRH The Prince and Princess of Wales for use as their primary private residence,” the information from the Crown Estate read. The amount was not disclosed, but was described as “open market rent.” Kensington Palace has previously made clear that the rent is being paid for privately and not from public funds.

Other properties referenced in the correspondence that are leased to the royals from the Crown Estate are; Bagshot Park in Surrey, where Prince Edward and Sophie live, the Cottage Property in Windsor Great Park, which is rented by Marina Ogilvy, and Thatched House Lodge in Richmond where Princess Alexandra lives. Despite its name, the Crown Estate is not the personal property of the monarch but is an independent business tasked with raising money to give to the UK Treasury for the nation’s benefit.

“In publishing these responses, the Public Accounts Committee fulfils one of its primary purposes – to aid transparency in public-interest information, as part of its overall mission to secure value for money for the taxpayer,” committee Chair Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP said in a statement today. “Having reflected on what we have received, the information provided clearly forms the beginnings of a basis for an inquiry.” He said the committee plans to hold an inquiry in the new year.

While discussions over the process for surrendering the lease for Royal Lodge have begun, Andrew is expected to stay in the property until the new year. He will eventually move into an undisclosed residence on the King’s Sandringham Estate.

Image above: View of Bagshot Park, Surrey.

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Town & Country Contributing Editor Victoria Murphy has reported on the British Royal Family since 2010. She has interviewed Prince Harry and has travelled the world covering several royal tours. She is a frequent contributor to Good Morning America. Victoria authored Town & Country book The Queen: A Life in Pictures, released in 2021.