Should Prince Andrew be forced to leave Royal Lodge? Vote in our poll
Prince Andrew is facing growing calls to give up his 30-room Royal Lodge on the Windsor Estate after it emerged the former Duke of York has hardly paid any rent - but what do you think?
Prince Andrew is facing mounting pressure to vacate the Royal Lodge following reports that he’s only paid "peppercorn rent" on the property in more than 20 years - and we want to hear your thoughts.
It comes after the disgraced royal relinquished his use of the Duke of York title on Friday, along with all other honours, including his role as a Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. However, Andrew will retain his title of Prince, as he is entitled to as per his birth right.
The announcement arrived amid intensified focus on his links with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and days before publication of his sex accuser Virginia Giuffre's posthumous book Nobody’s Girl. He denies all allegations against him.
Meanwhile, a YouGov poll on Tuesday revealed that 80 percent voted in favour of the removal of Andrew's dukedom, a title that can only be formally revoked through legislation. The 65-year old also faces renewed calls to give up his Royal Lodge residence, where he has continued to live with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, despite stepping back from public duties in 2019.
Protesters from the anti-monarchy group unveiled banners reading "End Royal Secrecy" and "What are you hiding? Royal Epstein Inquiry Now" outside the gates of Royal Lodge. A copy of the leasehold agreement, shared with the PA news agency by the Crown Estate, which oversees the royal family's land and property holdings, shows Andrew signed a 75-year lease on the property in 2003.
It reveals he paid £1million for the lease and that since then he has paid “one peppercorn” of rent “if demanded” per year. He was also required to pay a further £7.5 million for refurbishments completed in 2005, according to a report by the National Audit Office.
The agreement also contains a clause that states the Crown Estate would have to pay Andrew around £558,000 if he gave up the lease. Profits from the Crown Estate are handed to the Treasury for the benefit of the nation’s finances, raising concerns that the public could be deprived of potential funds from the property due to the peppercorn rent.
Now, it has been said that parliamentary committees could also look into the Crown Estate’s handling of Andrew’s Royal Lodge residence in Windsor. Senior Tory and former government minister Robert Jenrick said it was "about time Prince Andrew took himself off to live in private," adding: "He has disgraced himself, he has embarrassed the royal family time and again. I don’t see why the taxpayer, frankly, should continue to foot the bill at all. The public are sick of him."
While it is believed that King Charles has tried to encourage his younger brother to downsize to another royal residence in previous years, we want to know if you think Andrew should be forced to vacate the Royal Lodge. Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.