An investigation is set to be initiated into the Crown Estate and the residences of other members of the Royal Family. Prince William and Princess Kate have found themselves embroiled in the situation as details of their own lease have been brought to light.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, along with their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, moved from Adelaide Cottage to Forest Lodge during the October half-term break. Although Forest Lodge is near the Royal Lodge where Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is currently residing, their lease terms differ significantly.
Concerns were raised by Parliament’s spending watchdog in October regarding the value of Andrew’s living arrangements at Royal Lodge, given his nominal rent. Conversely, it has been revealed that William and Kate have a 20-year non-assignable lease with The Crown Estate for Forest Lodge, starting in July 2025, with an open market rent.
The Crown Estate, after consultations with the Royal Household, oversaw negotiations for leasing the Grade II-listed mansion to William and Kate as their primary private residence. The process involved independent valuers and legal advice for both parties to ensure fair market terms were agreed upon.
The disclosure of William and Kate’s lease details came after the Public Accounts Committee demanded explanations from the Treasury and Crown Estate regarding Andrew’s lease. The committee has announced an inquiry into the estate and its agreements with other Royal Family members based on information from the Crown Estate, Treasury letters, and an updated report from the National Audit Office.
As Andrew faces eviction from Royal Lodge due to ongoing revelations about his association with Jeffrey Epstein, he is expected to spend Christmas at the mansion before relocating to a smaller property on the King’s Sandringham estate in the New Year.