Copyright manchestereveningnews
A property expert has shared his thoughts on Prince Andrew's potential Royal Lodge future, amid reports he's in advanced discussions with King Charles ' senior advisers about departing his residence. The 65-year-old acquired the lease in 2003 for £1million, with an additional obligation to invest £7.5million in refurbishing the property. Following his recent decision to give up his remaining Royal titles and honours, there's been growing pressure to remove him from the Grade II listed house in Berkshire's Windsor Great Park, but what are his entitlements? Andrew cannot be easily evicted from the property due to what has been described as a "cast iron" lease with the Crown Estate. Should he consent to surrender the lease early, he could reportedly be entitled to compensation of around £557,595 upon termination, plus annual payments until 2028. Offering his analysis on the matter, Elliot Castle, CEO of We Buy Any Home , said: "From a property law standpoint, Prince Andrew's situation at the Royal Lodge appears to be governed by a long-term lease agreement rather than a traditional rental arrangement," reports the Express . "If, as reported, the lease terms were established in 2003 with a significant upfront payment and refurbishment investment, then he would retain security of tenure under those agreed conditions." The King's brother's lease agreement for the property states he has paid 'one peppercorn (if demanded)' in rent per year. Clarifying what this means, Elliot added: "The reference to a 'peppercorn rent' is symbolic - a common feature in long leases where the tenant has paid a large premium up front. "In simple terms, it means the occupier has effectively bought long-term rights to the property, even though the freehold remains with the Crown Estate." The expert further discussed whether King Charles could influence the decision to remove Andrew. He continued: "Whether King Charles could alter or terminate that arrangement would depend entirely on the legal structure of the lease. "Unless there's a specific clause allowing for termination under certain conditions, it would be very difficult to remove a tenant without agreement or compensation, regardless of personal circumstances." Prince Andrew continues to reside at the property with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, whom he divorced in 1996 after a decade of marriage. According to Elliot, "her residency would likely be linked to Prince Andrew's leasehold rights rather than any separate ownership". "If the lease continues, her position would generally remain unchanged," he added. Regarding the couple's daughters, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie, the property expert stated "it's unlikely" they will inherit any ownership stake in the Royal Lodge itself. This is because the property is part of the Crown Estate, however, Elliot believes they could "still benefit indirectly through family trusts or other private arrangements, depending on how assets are structured". "Overall, while the situation attracts public attention due to its royal connections, the underlying property principles are quite standard - a long lease provides security, but ultimate ownership and control rest with the freeholder, in this case the Crown," he added. The future of Andrew's Royal Lodge has been called into question following his decision to give up his remaining Royal titles and honours, including his Duke of York title, amid renewed allegations linked to Jeffrey Epstein. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing. This morning, The Daily Telegraph reported that King Charles is attempting to convince his brother to voluntarily vacate the 30-bedroom mansion. The primary discussions are reportedly focused on where he will relocate to and the amount of compensation he will receive. Buckingham Palace has been approached for a comment.
