An influential parliamentary committee is launching an inquiry into the Crown Estate – the vast range of properties and land owned by the monarchy.
The move by the Public Accounts Committee follows scrutiny of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s living arrangements at Royal Lodge on the Windsor Estate, and the revelation he pays a peppercorn rent.
The Crown Estate and the Treasury were asked to explain and justify his lease agreement to the committee after the series of scandals over Andrew’s controversial links to Jeffrey Epstein which saw him step down from royal duties and lose his royal style and titles.
The former prince has consistently denied allegations of sexual abuse and his accuser, Virginia Giuffre, took her own life this year.
Public Accounts Committee chair Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown thanked the Treasury and Crown Estate for responding to questions and said the committee’s “overall” mission was to “secure value for money for the taxpayer”.
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He said: “Having reflected on what we have received, the information provided clearly forms the beginnings of a basis for an inquiry.”
The inquiry into the Crown Estate will start in the new year and will consider leases given to members of the royal family, as well as wider work based on the estate’s annual accounts.
Part of the responses given to the committee confirm Andrew won’t receive any compensation for leaving Royal Lodge due to the maintenance and repairs the property needs.
It has also been revealed that the Prince and Princess of Wales have a 20-year lease on their new home, Forest Lodge, also situated within Windsor Great Park.
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