King Charles Pays £1.5m Bill for Repairs to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s Former Home

King Charles has reportedly used his private income to settle a £1.5 million bill owed by his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, following the end of his lease on Royal Lodge in Windsor. The payment covers the cost of repairs and damage associated with the property, after deductions were made from a larger compensation sum.

King Covers Outstanding Property Costs

King Charles has paid £1.5 million to the Crown Estate to settle outstanding costs linked to the condition of Royal Lodge, the 30-room Windsor property formerly occupied by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

The payment follows the end of Andrew’s lease on the property. The Crown Estate confirmed that it had received the £1.5 million owed and stated that it had not paid Andrew any money when the lease concluded.

The original bill for repairs and other costs associated with the property’s condition was £1.8 million. However, this was offset against approximately £300,000 that Andrew would otherwise have been entitled to receive for surrendering his lease early.

The money is understood to have come from the King’s private income, reportedly to ensure that the Crown Estate was not left out of pocket.

It remains unclear whether Andrew will repay his brother. Any arrangement between the two is being treated as a private matter, and no further details have been disclosed about Andrew’s personal finances.

The History of Andrew’s Royal Lodge Lease

Andrew took on a 75-year lease of Royal Lodge in 2003. As part of the arrangement, he made substantial upfront payments, including approximately £7.5 million towards repairs and improvements. This arrangement meant that he did not have to pay a conventional monthly rent.

The lease also included provisions for compensation if Andrew surrendered it during the first 25 years, with the amount reducing over time.

Although Andrew moved out of Royal Lodge in February 2026, his lease continued until October. By that point, the potential compensation payment of approximately £302,000 was outweighed by the costs attributed to the condition of the property.

The Crown Estate has now confirmed that the lease has ended and that the outstanding balance has been settled.

Departure Amid Renewed Scrutiny

Andrew left Royal Lodge in February amid renewed scrutiny of his connections to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew has consistently denied wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.

He subsequently moved to Sandringham, where the King has been providing his accommodation and upkeep from private funds.

Andrew was arrested later in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office. A court ruling on Thursday found fault with the police search warrants used in the case. The legal proceedings and questions surrounding the warrants remain separate from the financial settlement relating to Royal Lodge.

The King has also made clear that his financial support should not be used to cover Andrew’s legal costs in his challenge concerning the search warrants. There has been no indication that the payment for Royal Lodge repairs is connected to that position.

What Happens to Royal Lodge Now?

The future use of Royal Lodge has not yet been decided. However, the Crown Estate has indicated that its priority is to explore opportunities to generate financial value from the property for the nation.

A spokesperson said the lease had ended and that the organisation was focused on the property’s future use and the opportunities to generate additional financial value following its early return.

There are currently no plans for another member of the Royal Family to move into the mansion.

Questions about the property’s financial arrangements have also arisen following a report by the National Audit Office earlier this year. The report revealed that Andrew had been subletting buildings at Royal Lodge, although the income involved was not disclosed.

The report also highlighted that Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie had accommodation within royal palaces for which they did not pay personally, with the costs covered privately by the King.

The Daily Round-Up Says

The settlement raises questions about the distinction between private royal finances and the responsibilities of the Crown Estate, which manages property on behalf of the nation.

King Charles’s reported decision to cover the £1.5 million bill prevents the Crown Estate from being left with the outstanding costs. However, the public may reasonably want clarity about the financial arrangements surrounding royal properties, particularly when substantial sums are involved.

The key outstanding questions are whether Andrew will repay his brother, what the final costs associated with Royal Lodge will be, and how the property will be used to generate value in the future.

For now, the lease has ended and the Crown Estate has received its payment. The longer-term financial and practical consequences of Andrew’s departure remain to be seen.