Keir Starmer Backs Inquiry into Prince Andrew’s Lease
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed his support for an inquiry into the contentious deal that allows under-fire royal Prince Andrew to reside in the lavish 30-room Royal Lodge, a property tied to a 75-year lease, reports BritPanorama.
The lease details, revealed this week, indicate that Andrew has not paid rent for over 20 years on the Royal Lodge, situated within Windsor Great Park, which spans approximately 40 hectares. His arrangement has raised eyebrows, particularly given his failure to meet rent obligations.
In 2022, Andrew reached an out-of-court settlement with Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual abuse when she was a minor, a claim he has denied. Although he did not admit wrongdoing, he acknowledged Giuffre’s suffering and pledged a donation to her charity. This settlement intensified scrutiny on Andrew and the monarchy, with calls for both King Charles and the government to take action regarding his dukedom and royal title.
During Prime Minister’s Questions, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey urged Starmer to endorse a select committee inquiry aimed at ensuring the Crown Estate is held accountable to taxpayers. Starmer replied affirmatively, emphasizing the importance of proper scrutiny of all Crown properties.
The terms of Andrew’s lease at the Royal Lodge, signed in 2003, stipulate that his annual rent is set at a “peppercorn” rate, a nominal sum designed not to generate profit for the landlord, the Crown Estate. This arrangement has allowed Andrew to maintain residence in the estate even after his financial support from the King was cut off last year, leaving him reliant solely on a naval pension of £20,000 ($41,000).
A National Audit Office (NAO) report indicates that this deal was reached after Andrew agreed to pay a £1 million ($2 million) premium and £7.5 million ($15.5 million) for refurbishment, though these costs appear to have been exceeded. The lease requires that Andrew keeps the property “in good and substantial repair,” which involves regular maintenance and inspections.
As pressure mounts, Andrew announced last week his decision to relinquish the title of “Duke of York” and other royal honours, although his status as a prince remains unchanged. While he will not participate in royal Christmas gatherings at Sandringham, his position in the line of succession, currently 8th, remains intact, complicating calls for his titles to be officially stripped.
MPs from the Scottish National Party have introduced a parliamentary motion seeking legislation for the formal removal of Andrew’s titles. Conservative lawmaker Robert Jenrick commented, “It’s about time Prince Andrew took himself off to live in private and make his own way in life,” asserting that he has repeatedly embarrassed the royal family.
