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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Shaheena Uddin

Andrew gives up lease on another royal home

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is set to give up another one of his royal properties after he asked to end his lease of his East Lodge home in Berkshire early.

The former Duke of York only reportedly paid £13,000 a year for the Grade II thatched cottage, whilst other homes in the area are rented for up to £7,500 a month (which equates to £90,000 a year).

The 19th-Century property was understood to be used just by staff, with Andrew only living in it briefly between 1998 and 2004. Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s lease on the property was due to expire in 2027.

The former prince had mainly lived at Royal Lodge in Windsor but agreed to surrender his royal titles and give up the lease on the property in October last year following further revelations about his relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffery Epstein.

He moved to the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, living at a property owned by King Charles at the monarch’s expense.

The Crown Estate said: “We have received a request for us to consider an early termination of the lease.”

The ex-royal requested to drop the lease, according to a Freedom of Information request made by the BBC.

Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office last month (Reuters)

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested last month on suspicion of misconduct in public office after being accused of sharing sensitive information with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein while he was a trade envoy. He has not been charged and has denied any wrongdoing.

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor hass not replied to The Independent’s request for comment.

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