Prince Andrew could receive a substantial payout of up to £557,000 from King Charles if he agrees to leave the Royal Lodge. The financial incentive comes despite mounting pressure on the disgraced former Duke of York to vacate the 30-room Windsor Estate mansion following his loss of royal titles last week.
The counterintuitive situation stems from Andrew's "cast iron" 75-year lease agreement signed with the Crown Estate in 2003. He paid £1 million for the tenancy and invested £7.5 million in repairs, essentially paying his lease upfront, which now entitles him to a significant refund if he surrenders the property before June 2025.
King's personal financial involvement
King Charles may personally reimburse the Crown Estate to avoid the embarrassment of a public purse payment to Andrew. The Crown Estate, which channels its profits to the Treasury, would normally handle such refunds, but the King reportedly prefers to handle this family matter privately.
The refund amount decreases each year until 2028, when Andrew would receive nothing for leaving. This creates urgency around the June 2025 deadline, making the current timing particularly significant for negotiations.
Luxury alternatives emerge
Only the Daily Record reports that Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has offered Andrew free use of a 1,500 square metre palace compound. This luxury alternative could provide an elegant solution to the Royal Lodge standoff while maintaining Andrew's lifestyle expectations.
Andrew previously refused the King's offer to move into Frogmore Cottage, Prince Harry and Meghan's former home. He reportedly wants to remain near London, preferably around Windsor, to stay close to his daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
Parliamentary and police pressure mounts
The Manchester Evening News reports that the Public Accounts Committee is writing to both the Crown Estate and Treasury demanding information about Andrew's lease arrangements. This parliamentary scrutiny adds another layer of pressure beyond the family negotiations.
Metropolitan Police investigations into Andrew's affairs continue to expand, with new inquiries into a 2011 incident involving the delivery of legal papers. The combination of family pressure, parliamentary oversight, and ongoing investigations creates a complex web of motivations for Andrew to consider leaving.
Andrew currently lives at Royal Lodge with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, paying just "one peppercorn" in annual rent under his lease terms. The arrangement has provided him with substantial protection from eviction, making voluntary departure his only realistic option for resolving the situation.
Sources used: "Mirror", "Manchester Evening News", "Daily Record" Note: This article has been created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
