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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Laura Elston

MPs told Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s sublet cottages offered at ‘best value’

  • The Crown Estate defended the initial lease terms for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's Royal Lodge, stating that arrangements allowing him to sublet properties offered "best value" when established.
  • Crown Estate chief executive Dan Labbad presented this defence to a Commons Public Accounts Committee hearing investigating the management and governance of Crown Estate properties.
  • A National Audit Office investigation previously revealed that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor received an undisclosed private income from subletting three cottages on Royal Lodge for over two decades while paying a peppercorn - or purely nominal or token - rent.
  • Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's leasehold agreement for Royal Lodge included a £1 million premium and a further £7.5 million for refurbishments, in addition to the rent.
  • The NAO also found that Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie pay adjusted, subsidised rents for their accommodation in royal palaces, based on out-of-date valuations, despite being non-working royals.

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