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Prince Andrew is reportedly in talks about voluntarily leaving the Royal Lodge, following uproar over the "peppercorn" rent for his 30-room mansion. The Duke of York is said to be negotiating with representatives of Prince Charles but is hesitant to relinquish his residence of over two decades. According to the Telegraph, the main sticking points are the location of his new home and financial compensation for funds spent on the lodge. Read more: BBC star rushed to hospital Andrew attempted to put years of controversy behind him, following allegations of sexual abuse by Virginia Giuffre, by renouncing his dukedom and other honours last Friday, ahead of the release of Ms Giuffre's posthumous memoirs. However, the prince, who vehemently denies the allegations, was instead engulfed by criticism centred on his property, with some MPs keen to discuss the matter in Parliament. The Telegraph reported that discussions between Andrew and the King's representatives have been ongoing since the full disclosure of the prince's lease agreement on his Berkshire home led to intense public scrutiny. The newspaper stated that Andrew was resistant, but there was a sense of inevitability about the prince, believed to be Queen Elizabeth II's favourite child, giving up his home. This comes amidst allegations that a 2011 attempt by Ms Giuffre to serve a civil suit on Andrew was allegedly thwarted by Metropolitan Police officers. This was first reported by Channel 4 News, which stated that the force has broadened its investigations. In a statement released on Friday, the force said: "Following recent media reporting on the actions of officers in relation to this matter, we are considering whether any further assessment or review is necessary." Previously, the Metropolitan Police had stated that they were investigating allegations after the Mail On Sunday reported that Andrew had given Ms Giuffre's date of birth and social security number to his taxpayer-funded bodyguard in 2011, asking him to investigate. Reportedly, the main obstacles to reaching a settlement are where Andrew, who is eighth in line to the throne, will reside and what financial compensation he will receive for the funds he spent renovating his home. There are potential properties on the King's private Balmoral estate in Scotland and his Sandringham estate in Norfolk that could accommodate Andrew, but it remains to be seen whether he will accept a smaller home far from his supportive daughters. It has long been rumoured that the King has tried to persuade his younger brother, who resides in Royal Lodge with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, to move out. However, Andrew signed a watertight 75-year lease on the property in 2003. Andrew's leasehold agreement, as seen by the PA news agency, revealed that he paid £1 million for the lease and that since then he has paid "one peppercorn" of rent "if demanded" per year. He was also required to pay an additional £7.5 million for refurbishments completed in 2005, according to a report by the National Audit Office. The agreement also includes a clause stipulating that the Crown Estate would be required to pay Andrew approximately £558,000 if he relinquished the lease. Allegations have surfaced that the prince's "peppercorn" rent on the Crown Estate property in Windsor Great Park was hidden in a redacted version of his lease submitted to the Land Registry over two decades ago. The Public Accounts Committee has already confirmed it is penning a letter to the Crown Estate and the Treasury requesting additional information about the prince's lease. Meanwhile, broadcast crews and photographers assembled outside the gates of Royal Lodge on Thursday evening, fueling speculation of further developments in the ongoing controversy surrounding the late Queen's second son. It's likely that media presence will continue outside the property's gates until a decision is reached, potentially casting a shadow over the work of the King and other Royal family members. Ms Giuffre, who tragically took her own life in April, claimed she was coerced into having sex with Andrew three times, which he strongly denies, including when she was 17 and also during an orgy, after being trafficked by Epstein. Despite vehemently denying ever meeting her, Andrew paid out millions in 2022 to settle a civil sexual assault case with her. The Duke's statement about his title was made after discussions with the King and the Prince of Wales. This came to light when it was revealed that he had emailed Epstein in 2011, stating "we're in this together", three months after he claimed to have severed all ties with the convicted sex offender. Downing Street has stated that MPs will not be given time in the House of Commons to debate Andrew's behaviour, as the Royal family wishes Parliament to concentrate on "important issues". Number 10 has said it won't set aside time for a debate in the chamber, but MPs could still examine the situation in committees.
