Andrew’s inheritance plans for Beatrice and Eugenie could be scuppered, according to an expert(Image: UK Press via Getty Images)
Their parents’ reputations have been left in tatters – and there could be yet another bitter blow coming for Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
The two siblings are said to be distancing themselves from dad Prince Andrew and mum Sarah Ferguson in light of the tsunami of scandals engulfing the former couple.
One major talking point is their shared residence, Royal Lodge. Despite divorcing in 1996, Andrew and Fergie continue to live together at the sprawling Windsor mansion. And for years there have been questions over how they have afforded to remain in residence.
Andrew has a 75-year lease of the 30-bedroom Royal Lodge, allowing him to live in the property until 2078. And it has been suggested that Andrew had hoped to keep the Lodge within the family, with plans to bequeath it to his two daughters.
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The Princesses are said to be ‘devastated’ by the many allegations made against their parents(Image: PA)
But according to an expert, he’s likely to face some major potential hurdles. Terry Fisher, from We Buy Any Home, explained: “Andrew’s long lease, reportedly lasting 75 years, shows that he’s invested significantly in Royal Lodge, giving him strong occupancy rights. He might hope to pass the property on to his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, once he can no longer reside there.
“However, royal leases often include restrictions around succession, especially for properties intended to serve working royals. Such leases aren’t always straightforward inheritance-wise; transferring the lease to non-working members of the family could likely require the Crown Estate’s approval, especially under King Charles, who might prioritise other uses for royal properties.
“In other words, while Andrew has substantial rights under the lease, he may still face limitations in passing it on to family without special permissions.”
It seems highly unlikely that the King, nor his heir Prince William, will afford Andrew any favours. Charles, who demanded his disgraced brother rescind his royal titles, is said to be keen for him to leave the Lodge in favour of a smaller property. Last year, he also severed Andrew’s ‘£1 million-a-year’ allowance to ensure he was “no longer a financial burden”.
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The King cut off Andrew’s £1m-a-year allowance last year(Image: Getty Images)
Prince William, meanwhile, is said to be determined to oust his uncle from royal life completely when he takes the throne.
It comes after the shock revelation that Andrew has not paid rent on Royal Lodge since 2003. The leasehold agreement on Andrew’s grace and favour mansion was obtained by The Times amid calls for transparency over the residence.
It shows that Andrew’s rent has been set at “one peppercorn (if demanded)” per year since 2003. In legal terms, a “peppercorn rent” means rent in name only and is a symbolic amount included to make an agreement legally valid.
In practice, this means Andrew has not paid any rent on Royal Lodge since moving in over two decades ago. The clause effectively allows the prince to live in the 30-room mansion rent-free provided he covers maintenance costs.
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Andrew hasn’t paid rent on Royal Lodge for two decades(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
Documents obtained by the Times show Andrew paid £1million for the lease and at least £7.5million towards extensive refurbishments completed in 2005.
Andrew has a 75-year lease of the 30-bedroom Royal Lodge , allowing him to live in the property until 2078.
The lease agreement confirms that the Crown Estate would need to pay Andrew around £558,000 if he gave up the lease. And he would be due a £185,865 a year compensatory sum until year 25 of the agreement is reached in 2028.