Former Prince Andrew Receives $399,000 Compensation After Surrendering Royal Lodge Lease

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Former British prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has received £302,000 (approximately US$399,000) in compensation after surrendering the lease on Royal Lodge, his former Windsor residence. The payment follows his departure from the 30-room mansion amid renewed scrutiny over his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew secured a 75-year lease on Royal Lodge in 2003 and spent millions of pounds renovating the property. Under the lease terms, he was entitled to compensation when he gave up the residence early. Recent repair and restoration costs amounted to about £1.8 million, leaving him expected to pay the Crown Estate approximately £1.5 million after the compensation is deducted.

The arrangement has attracted attention because Andrew had reportedly been paying a nominal rent for the property. A UK National Audit Office review also raised questions about the financial terms surrounding royal residences, including income Andrew received from subletting three cottages on the estate.

Andrew left Royal Lodge in February 2026 and moved to Marsh Farm on King Charles III’s privately owned Sandringham estate in Norfolk. His departure followed the King’s decision in 2025 to remove his brother’s remaining royal titles and honours amid continued controversy surrounding Epstein. Andrew has repeatedly denied wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.

The property payment comes as Andrew faces a separate police investigation into allegations that he shared sensitive information with Epstein while serving as the UK’s trade envoy. He was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office and released under investigation. A High Court ruling on October 8 found that police had used the wrong legal provision to obtain search warrants, although the decision did not automatically end the investigation.

The Crown Estate, which manages property and land for the benefit of the nation, is now considering Royal Lodge’s future. The compensation has renewed questions about the financial arrangements surrounding royal residences and whether such agreements provide sufficient transparency and accountability.

Although the payment stems from the terms of Andrew’s lease, the circumstances surrounding his departure are likely to keep public attention focused on his finances and his continuing legal difficulties.