A recently disclosed property agreement has revealed that the Duke of York has not paid monetary rent on his Windsor residence for more than two decades. The arrangement, dating back to 2003, shows the Duke made a substantial upfront payment to secure the long-term lease on the 30-room Royal Lodge and invested millions in renovations.
According to the terms, the significant renovation expenditure was formally treated as an advance payment covering what would have been an annual rent of approximately £260,000. The lease, which extends for several more decades, includes a clause stating the Crown Estate would be required to reimburse a portion of the initial outlay if the tenancy were to end prematurely.
The disclosure has prompted renewed questions about the funding of the estate’s considerable ongoing maintenance, especially as the Duke no longer receives a personal allowance from the Sovereign or public funding. Insiders note he is not believed to have received a major inheritance, raising further inquiries into the financial underpinnings of his occupancy.
This financial revelation comes amid a period of significant change for the Duke’s status within the Royal Family. A palace statement recently confirmed he will no longer use his royal titles or associated honors, a decision described as a step taken to prevent distraction from the work of the monarchy. The move is widely seen as a response to the persistent reputational challenges linked to his past association with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The Duke has consistently denied allegations of misconduct related to that association. Nevertheless, senior royals are reported to view the situation as a serious concern for the institution’s reputation, with some advocating for his exclusion from future royal events to mitigate perceived risks.
