Prince Andrew Was Subletting Royal Cottages Despite Living Rent-Free
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is under fresh scrutiny after it was revealed that he charged rent on cottages within his Windsor estate despite living rent-free, according to a newly published government report.
The report, conducted by the U.K.'s National Audit Office (NAO), determined that Andrew, 66, sublet three of eight properties on his Royal Lodge estate, where he lived for more than two decades, as part of his leasing agreement with The Crown Estate.
Findings showed that his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, live rent-free in royal palaces in an arrangement set up by their late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, who died in September 2022. Their rents are covered by King Charles III, using his private income.
It was not established exactly how much Andrew earned from renting out the cottages.
NAO's audit offers a rare glimpse into the British royal family's property arrangements, detailing how homes linked to the former Duke of York were used before he was exiled from the mansion in February of this year.
The report came after news in October 2025 that Andrew had not paid rent on his Windsor residence for more than 20 years, per a leasehold agreement obtained by The Times.
It was noted at the time that Andrew paid "one peppercorn (if demanded)" in rent per year since 2003, while he and his family were entitled to live in the 30-room property until 2078. Per reports, Andrew paid $1.3 million upfront and covered at least $10 million for refurbishments in 2005.
Andrew was formerly known as Prince Andrew until his brother, 77, stripped him of his titles over his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein last fall in late 2025. Soon after, King Charles demanded that his sibling surrender the lease, at which point Andrew was to relocate temporarily to Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.
The disgraced royal now stays at Marsh Farm, where he was last seen with a noticeable purple bruise on the right side of his face, specifically under his eye, during a car ride on Thursday, June 4. The Times and The Telegraph claimed his bruise is due to a medical condition.
Andrew has been keeping a low profile after his arrest in February.
The Thames Valley Police confirmed earlier this year that Andrew was booked on "suspicion of misconduct in public office," following which King Charles issued a statement.
"I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office," the monarch shared at the time. "What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and cooperation."
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This story was originally published June 5, 2026 at 3:15 PM.