Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's money-making scheme defended by The Crown Estate - EUROPE SAYS
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor‘s controversial sub-letting at hisformer home of Royal Lodgehas been defended by the Chief of the Crown Estate. Dan Labbad, who occupies the position of The chief of the Crown. . .
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor‘s controversial sub-letting at hisformer home of Royal Lodgehas been defended by the Chief of the Crown Estate. Dan Labbad, who occupies the position of The chief of the Crown Estate, appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday. The meeting was in front of MPs and it included discussing the controversial arrangements around Andrew’s former home. WhileKing Charles’brother was paying a mere “peppercorn rent” to live there, he was also sub-letting properties on site for a profit. Andrew rented out properties on his former estate (Getty Images)Dan defended the decision by saying: “Those potential income streams were taken into account in determining what best value was at the time. ” He also stressed that this process is fairly commonplace. The exact amount Andrew earned from sub-letting was not revealed at the meeting, but James Chalmers, the King’s keeper of the privy purse, did explain that these are figures that can be obtained in the future. You may also likeMP comments on Andrew’s controversyAndrew Mountbatten-Windsor and King Charles pictured together (Getty Images)MPs have previously expressed their disapproval over Andrew’s former arrangements. Former Liberal Democrat minister Norman Baker described the arrangements as “outrageous”, arguing that any profits generated from the cottages should have been returned to the Crown Estate rather than retained privately. “The whole thing is outrageous,” he said. “It shows an absolute total contempt for the taxpayer, not only that Andrew was able to have a peppercorn rent for a gigantic property, but then to make potentially millions on the side from subletting properties. ”Andrew’s new homeAndrew now lives in Marsh Farm in Sandringham (UK Press via Getty Images)Andrew now appears to live completely rent-free on King Charles’ private Sandringham Estate, which is not a Crown Estate owned residence. The former royal lives at Marsh Farm, which is a former working farmhouse. Outside, there are several outbuildings and stables dotted around the grounds. Before Andrew moved in, the home was fitted with lights and security cameras and a new wooden fence was installed around the perimeter of the property for added security and privacy. While these features were added, Andrew stayed at the neighbouring Wood Farm, theretirement property of his late father,Prince Philip. Other royal homes under the spotlightThe sisters both have royal homes that are at risk (UK Press via Getty Images)The original report also shone a light on the living arrangements ofPrincess BeatriceandPrincess Eugenie, revealing thatKing Charlespersonally covers the cost of their accommodation within royal residences through his private Duchy of Lancaster income. Princess Eugenie lives at Ivy Cottage within Kensington Palace grounds, while Princess Beatrice occupies an apartment at St James’s Palace. Both Eugenie and Beatrice are non-working royals and also have their own properties with their respective husbands, so some would argue that their grace-and-favour residences are unnecessary. Tags:AndrewAndrew Mountbatten WindsorbeatriceBritish Royal FamilyCrown Estateduke of yorkEugeniegetty imagesking charlesMountbatten-Windsorpeppercorn rentPrince andrewprincess beatricePrincess Eugeniepublic-accounts-committeeRoyal FamiliesRoyal FamilySandringham