Prince Andrew's cottage subletting and royal rent payments revealed

A National Audit Office report disclosed that Prince Andrew, formally the Earl of Wessex, received rental income from sub‑letting three cottages on the Royal Lodge estate, a lease he holds until October 2026. The income was paid directly to him rather than to the Crown Estate, and the report did not disclose the amount or profitability after maintenance costs.

The same report confirmed that King Charles pays the rent for grace‑and‑favour apartments used by non‑working royal family members Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Their London flats in St James’s Palace and Kensington Palace are funded from the Privy Purse, derived from the Duchy of Lancaster, with rent values based on outdated market valuations that have now been updated to 2026 figures. Both sisters live elsewhere and do not hold official royal duties.

The findings have prompted criticism over the use of public funds for private royal accommodation and the transparency of property income arrangements.