family first

King Charles III helps Ex-Prince Andrew get back on his feet with a $2 million loan: Here’s what the money is for

The arrangement also raises questions about the extent of Charles' financial support for his brother, who no longer performs official royal duties

OCTOBER 9, 2026 2:59 PM EDTOCT 9, 2026, 2:59 PM EDT

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has officially handed back the keys to Royal Lodge, but leaving his longtime royal residence has come with a staggering price tag. The former Prince Andrew, 66, has surrendered his lease on the sprawling 30-room Windsor mansion after more than two decades. His older brother, King Charles III, has reportedly provided approximately $2 million from his private income to settle the property's outstanding repair costs.

The financial arrangement was revealed on Friday, October 9, 2026, when the Crown Estate confirmed that Andrew's lease had formally ended and that the money owed for the property's condition had been paid.

A aerial view of Windsor Castle and the surrounding area at Windsor Castle

According to the Associated Press, Charles loaned his younger brother £1.5 million, approximately $2 million, to ensure the Crown Estate received the outstanding payment.

Why King Charles Loaned Ex-Prince Andrew $2 Million for Royal Lodge Repairs

Andrew's departure from Royal Lodge came with a substantial financial obligation. According to the Crown Estate, the property required approximately £1.8 million, or $2.4 million, in repairs and restoration. The charges were described as costs associated with "dilapidations," a term referring to the condition of a property and the repairs required under a lease.

However, Andrew was also legally entitled to approximately £302,000, or $400,000, in compensation because he surrendered the lease during its first 25 years.

Andrew and Queen Elizabeth II on June 27, 2017 in London, England.

Rather than receiving that compensation directly, the amount was deducted from the repair bill, leaving approximately £1.5 million outstanding.

King Charles reportedly covered that balance using his private funds. A person familiar with the arrangement told AFP that the monarch made the money available as a loan to ensure the Crown Estate was paid promptly.

Whether Andrew will repay the full amount, and under what terms, remains unclear. The arrangement also raises questions about the extent of Charles' financial support for his brother, who no longer performs official royal duties.

Crown Estate Confirms Andrew's Royal Lodge Lease Has Ended

The Crown Estate confirmed that Royal Lodge has officially returned to its control, bringing Andrew's long-term tenancy to an end.

In a statement reported by Sky News, a spokesperson said: "The lease for Royal Lodge has ended and our focus now is firmly on its future use and the opportunities to generate additional financial value for the nation from its early return."

Andrew, disgraced Duke of York at Princess Eugenie wedding

According to People, the property is expected to be marketed through two nationally recognized agents as officials consider how best to use the estate in the future.

For Andrew, the formal surrender represents the final administrative step in a departure that began months earlier. He physically moved out of Royal Lodge in February 2026, but his lease remained in place until October.

How Much Did Prince Andrew Originally Pay for Royal Lodge?

Andrew moved into Royal Lodge in 2003 under a 75-year lease that could have allowed him to remain there until 2078. The arrangement required a £1 million upfront premium and a commitment to spend approximately £7.5 million, nearly $10 million at the time, renovating the historic property.

In return, he paid what is known as a peppercorn rent, effectively a nominal rental amount. A June 2026 National Audit Office report confirmed the unusual financial structure of the agreement, including Andrew's substantial initial renovation commitment.

The Long Walk in Windsor, Berkshire, against the backdrop of Windsor Castle.

Despite that investment, the property reportedly required millions more in repairs when his tenancy ended.

Why Prince Andrew Was Forced to Leave Royal Lodge

Andrew's exit followed King Charles' decision in October 2025 to remove his younger brother's remaining royal titles and privileges amid renewed scrutiny of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

The former Duke of York had already stepped away from public royal duties in 2019 following controversy over his association with Epstein. However, additional disclosures concerning their relationship intensified pressure on the monarchy and raised further questions about Andrew's position within the royal family.

King Charles III helps Ex-Prince Andrew get back on his feet with a $2 million loan: Here’s what the money is for

Charles subsequently ordered Andrew to leave Royal Lodge, where he had lived for more than 20 years. Andrew's former wife, Sarah Ferguson, had also shared the residence for much of that period despite their 1996 divorce.

The couple's living arrangement had long attracted attention, particularly because they continued residing together at one of Windsor's most prominent royal properties.

Andrew has consistently denied wrongdoing in connection with Epstein.

Where Is Ex-Prince Andrew Living Now?

Following his departure from Royal Lodge, Andrew relocated to Marsh Farm on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. The property is part of King Charles' privately owned estate, rather than the Crown Estate portfolio.

Charles has continued providing financial support to his younger brother, including accommodation and an undisclosed allowance from private funds.

Marsh Farm on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, where Andrew Mounbatten-Windsor is relocating to following his departure from Royal Lodge in Windsor.

The move represents a significant change in Andrew's circumstances. Royal Lodge is a substantial historic residence on the Windsor estate, with 30 rooms and extensive surrounding grounds. Marsh Farm offers a considerably more modest living arrangement.

Although Andrew remains connected to the royal family through his brother and his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, he no longer occupies the public position he once held.

What Will Happen to Royal Lodge After Andrew's Departure?

With Andrew's lease officially surrendered, attention has shifted to the future of Royal Lodge. The historic mansion sits within a large estate near Windsor Castle and has longstanding connections to the British royal family.

It was previously associated with Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, who lived there for decades before her death in 2002. For more than 20 years afterward, it served as Andrew's principal residence.

New fencing is erected at Marsh Farm on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, where Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has relocated following his departure from Royal Lodge in Windsor.

Now, the Crown Estate is exploring how the property might generate financial returns. According to reporting by the BBC, there are currently no plans for another royal family member to move into the mansion.

The Crown Estate's priority is to establish a financially beneficial future use for the property, although no new tenant has been announced.King Charles