Charles’ Other Brother’s ‘Problematic’ Behavior Could Result in Another Royal Eviction Amid Reports the King & Andrew Will ‘Never Be Seen Together Again’ After the Ex-Prince’s Banishment
Every day, it’s something new with the British royal family. And none of it is exactly good. First, it was Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping down as working royals. Then, King Charles and Kate Middleton were diagnosed with cancer. And of course, Andrew being stripped of his titles and evicted from Royal Lodge, only to then be arrested for suspicion of misconduct in public office.
And now, RadarOnline is reporting another scandal involving yet another member of the family. The outlet is reporting that Edward, the King’s youngest brother, is generating up to $175,000 a year by sub-letting converted stables on a property belonging to the crown.
Related: Here’s what each royal inherited from Queen Elizabeth
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh live at Bagshot Park in Surrey. The mansion, which features 120-rooms and is reportedly worth around $40million, is leased from the Crown Estate and is understood to be part of an agreement that only requires a “peppercorn” rent.
So, basically, Prince Edward is paying nothing, but making money off of it. How? A rental listing shows a converted stable block on the grounds being marketed as office space for approximately $14,000 a month, or about $175,000 annually. Income is reportedly being kept by the Duke and Duchess.
A source told the outlet this is problematic. “There is growing concern that Edward is benefiting from a publicly owned asset while paying virtually nothing in rent, and then generating significant private income from it,” the insider noted. “Even if the arrangement is technically within the rules, it looks problematic at a time when public finances are under pressure.”
This issue has been raised at a time when the Public Accounts Committee launched an inquiry into Crown Estate arrangements. This comes amid recent scrutiny of deals involving other family members for different properties, which has been reported in the wake of Andrew’s previous deal at Royal Lodge.
And the Andrew matter has yet to be settled, either. Express recently reported that Andrew and Charles will “never be seen together again” and that their relationship at this point is irrevocably broken. And royal biographer Andrew Lownie told Hello about the two: “I don’t think we’ll see Andrew at Charles’s funeral.” Big words.
The problems between the two reportedly didn’t start with Andrew’s recent arrest. “Andrew resented Charles. He felt that he could do a better job. Charles resented Andrew. He felt that Andrew was allowed to do things he couldn’t do.”
Lownie also added, “Andrew is not a forgiving type. He feels that Charles has thrown his family under a bus to cover the problem.”
King Charles released a statement right after Andrew’s arrest, saying, “I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office. What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities.”
He added, “In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation. Let me state clearly: the law must take its course. As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.”
