The palatial mansion Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor called home for 20 years will soon be available to rent, but the new tenant must adhere to strict conditions including passing a thorough security check.
Royal Lodge, in Windsor Great Park, was vacated by the former Duke of York in February amid pressure from his brother, King Charles.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, pictured at the Royal Chapel on the grounds of Royal Lodge in Windsor. His former palatial home will soon be made available to rent. AP
Further revelations about Andrew’s past friendship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein had forced to him to relinquish the lease on the estate and move into a smaller home on the king’s private Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
The 30-bedroom Grade II listed Royal Lodge is owned by the Crown Estate, which is considering leasing the property from October.
The former prince has given notice on the lease, which means that he remains legally responsible for the property until then.
Before ruling on its future, and choosing a prospective tenant, the Crown Estate will assess the condition of the Royal Lodge.
Annual upkeep on the home is estimated at £400,000 a year (approx. $800,000) and the new tenant must pass stringent security checks.
“The Crown Estate is a business, so the bean counters there are relieved Andrew didn’t give up his lease early, as the ongoing costs would have become their obligation, not Andrew’s,” a source told the Mail on Sunday.
The tenant must also be willing to grant the royal family access to the Royal Chapel of All Saints, which sits within the grounds.
The chapel hosted Princess Beatrice’s wedding in 2020 and was where Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall hosted a joint baptism for their sons, August and Lucas in November 2021.
King George VI lived at Royal Lodge with Queen Elizabeth. They are pictured at the royal property here in July 1946. Getty
Royal Lodge has been home to senior members of the royal family for decades, including the late Queen Mother who lived there with her husband King George VI before returning as a widow.
Andrew moved in after his grandmother’s death and lived there with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson from 2003 until February.
The property’s future as a royal home, however, is now in doubt.
It had been flagged as a potential home for the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children, but the family secured a lease at the nearby Forest Lodge instead.
That five-bedroom property has since been described as the family’s “forever home”.
Andrew is now living at Marsh Farm, a modest property at Sandringham.
Shortly before his move it was revealed he had been paying a minimal sum to live at Royal Lodge, known as a peppercorn rent.
In February, soon after his move, the former prince was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, relating to his time as the UK’s trade representative between 2001 and 2011.
Andrew has denied all wrongdoing.