.png)
The spotlight is no longer simply on royals on palace balconies; it is now shining directly into the leasing arrangements of Windsor's most contentious tenant.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has put his support behind a prospective probe into Prince Andrew’s continuous occupation of Royal Lodge, stating it’s high time for a bit more clarity when it comes to who gets what in Crown assets and why.
During a heated discussion during Prime Minister's Questions, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey questioned whether Labour would support a select committee investigation into the Royal Lodge story, especially requesting that all parties involved "including the current occupant" be summoned for testimony.
Starmer did not hesitate. "It's important in relation to all properties, Crown properties, that there is proper scrutiny," he claimed. "So I certainly support that."
Who knew peppercorns could be so expensive? Andrew is under further investigation after it was found that he has been hanging onto his Royal Lodge estate in Windsor for more than 20 years despite paying a total of one peppercorn each year in rent. And even that is only "if demanded."
The Royal Lodge
— 🌸 Eliza 🌸🦕👑 (@home_nextdoor) May 15, 2023
98 Acres
30 Rooms
7 Bedrooms
Conservatory
Royal chapel
Gardeners cottage
6 lodge cottages
Security accommodation.
Prince Andrew - retired single divorced man w/adult children. Fergie's had her free ride. Bea is at St James.
Time to take the 🗝@RoyalFamily pic.twitter.com/pPU4BdcoWJ
He shares the huge house with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
But the good offer does not end there. According to a National Audit Office investigation, Andrew also had to pay £7.5 million for modifications performed in 2005.
However, critics argue that this does not justify the symbolic yearly tax and raises the question of whether the public purse was shortchanged.
If Andrew ever decides to hand up the keys, the Crown Estate, which funnels its money into the Treasury to help pay public services, will owe him £558,000.
#keirstarmer #princeandrew #royalfamily #royallodge #windsor #newstainmentora
