Key Highlights
- Prince Andrew is reportedly in advanced talks to leave the Royal Lodge.
- The King’s representatives are trying to persuade Andrew to move out voluntarily.
- A new lease agreement reveals Prince Andrew has paid “one peppercorn” of rent for over two decades.
- There are increasing calls for Andrew to be formally stripped of his dukedom.
The Latest Development in the Prince Andrew Controversy
Prince Andrew is reportedly at a critical juncture, facing intense pressure to vacate the Royal Lodge following ongoing scrutiny over his links to Jeffrey Epstein and other controversies. The King’s representatives are currently engaged in advanced talks with him to persuade him to move out voluntarily, though the prince has 50 years left on his pre-paid lease and would be legally compensated if forced to leave.
The Controversial Lease Agreement
A copy of the leasehold agreement shared by the Crown Estate shows that in 2003, Andrew signed a 75-year lease on the property for £1 million. The lease stipulates he pays “one peppercorn” of rent if demanded per year. This revelation has sparked further scrutiny over the arrangement and calls for transparency regarding Andrew’s financial obligations to the Crown Estate.
According to the National Audit Office, since 2005, Andrew has also paid an additional £7.5 million for refurbishments at the Royal Lodge. Despite these substantial investments, the lease agreement contains a clause that would require the Crown Estate to pay around £558,000 if Andrew were to give up the lease.
Increasing Calls for His Dukedom to be Stripped
A recent YouGov poll indicates that four out of five Britons support formally stripping Prince Andrew of his dukedom. The survey, based on nearly 6,700 adults, revealed that 63% were strongly in favor of the removal and 17% somewhat supported it. Only 4% opposed the idea – with 2% strongly and 2% somewhat against – leaving a significant majority backing this measure.
Legal Implications and Public Pressure
The legal and ethical implications of Prince Andrew’s tenure at the Royal Lodge have been further highlighted by recent developments. On October 25, 2025, it was reported that claims emerged suggesting the prince’s “peppercorn” rent on the Crown Estate property in Windsor Great Park was concealed in a redacted version of his lease submitted to the Land Registry more than two decades ago.
Additionally, there are ongoing investigations into allegations that Andrew tried to use his police bodyguard to smear his accuser, Virginia Giuffre. The Met Police is reportedly “actively looking” into these claims, with concerns raised by former Metropolitan Police head of royal protection, Dai Davies, who urged the force to launch a full criminal investigation.
Despite these developments, Downing Street has stated that MPs will not be given time in the House of Commons to discuss Andrew’s conduct. Instead, they emphasized that Parliament should focus on “important issues.” However, this decision may face further scrutiny as public pressure mounts and more details come to light.
Conclusion
The situation surrounding Prince Andrew continues to evolve, with numerous challenges and legal intricacies at play. As the negotiations over his tenure at the Royal Lodge progress, it remains to be seen how these discussions will impact both his personal standing within the royal family and broader public perceptions of him.
With ongoing investigations and increasing calls for accountability, the coming weeks and months may hold significant developments in this long-standing controversy. As more information becomes available, the landscape surrounding Prince Andrew’s future at the Royal Lodge could shift dramatically.
