Prince Andrew is currently facing significant pressure to vacate his long-term residence, Royal Lodge, following recent revelations that he has not paid traditional rent on the property for over two decades. The Duke of York, who has been embroiled in controversy due to his association with the late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, has lived in the sprawling 30-bedroom Windsor mansion for more than twenty years with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, who has also recently been stripped of her royal titles.

Contrary to previous beliefs, it was recently disclosed that Prince Andrew does not pay standard rent. Instead, upon signing the lease in 2003, he made an initial payment of £1 million and committed to spending an additional £7.5 million on essential renovations for the Crown Estate property. Moving forward, he is required to pay only a nominal “peppercorn rent” annually, if at all. This arrangement has come under scrutiny as further allegations related to his past relations with Jeffrey Epstein have surfaced, all of which he vehemently denies.

Despite the mounting calls for his departure, evicting Prince Andrew from Royal Lodge is proving to be a complex matter. Legal experts, including property lawyer Mike Hansom of BLB Solicitors and estate agent Henry Sherwood, assert that removal would be exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, against his will. This is due to a “cast iron lease” that grants him occupancy until 2078, provided he adheres to its terms, and crucially, the absence of a break clause in the contract.

In response to the ongoing accusations and their perceived distraction from the work of the Royal Family, Prince Andrew released a statement on Friday announcing his decision to cease using his royal titles and honours. The statement, issued after discussions with King Charles and other family members, emphasized his commitment to putting his duty to family and country first, reiterating his five-year-old decision to step back from public life. He concluded his statement by firmly denying all accusations against him, including claims made by Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre.