Recent images display visible signs of deterioration on the outer facade of the Royal Lodge.
Prince Andrew holds a secure tenancy agreement until August 2078, despite having paid minimal rent for the past 22 years on the premises. The Prime Minister has called for a thorough examination of Prince Andrew’s rent-free residence following demands for a parliamentary investigation.
Under the terms of the Royal Lodge lease, the disgraced prince is responsible for maintaining the extravagant property located within Windsor Great Park and covering its yearly expenses of approximately £250,000. However, external photographs reveal deteriorating paintwork, cracks, and the presence of black mold on the gatehouse and main building walls.
Prince Andrew has resided in the estate within Windsor Great Park since 2003 when he acquired the lease. Despite their divorce in 1996, his former spouse Sarah Ferguson has continued to live with Andrew in the residence for the past 29 years.
Initially, Andrew paid a sum of £1 million upfront and further invested £7.5 million in urgent renovations as stipulated in the lease agreement. The total renovation cost is believed to have escalated to nearly £10 million.
By following this arrangement, Andrew evaded an annual nominal rent of £260,000 for the property – allowing his family to retain possession of the mansion until 2078 unless the lease terms are violated. The £8.5 million initial investment would average out to £113,000 per year if Andrew or his family continues to occupy the residence for 75 years, significantly below the purported current market rate.
The lease agreement mandates Andrew to address any maintenance issues promptly and faces potential eviction if he fails to fulfill these responsibilities after being granted an opportunity to do so. However, images shared by the Daily Mail suggest a lack of recent maintenance. These photographs are reminiscent of those captured in previous years, some of which are included in this report.
According to the Telegraph, Andrew is required to repaint the exterior every five years with at least two coats of the same color and repaint the interior every seven years. Additionally, the Prince could face eviction for engaging in any illegal or immoral activities on the property, though there is currently no indication of such behavior.
This development coincides with the introduction of a bill in the Commons on Wednesday that would empower the monarch to formally revoke Prince Andrew’s duk