News
October 21, 2025
The damage has to stop: bite the bullet and pay off Prince Andrew
The Crown Estate could be used to solve the appalling Prince Andrew problem. It could buy back his long lease on Royal Lodge, paying an extremely generous price. Prince Andrew could then go into exile.
**The damage has to stop: bite the bullet and pay off Prince Andrew**
The ongoing controversy surrounding Prince Andrew continues to be a major headache for the Royal Family, and a radical solution is now being floated: using the Crown Estate to effectively "buy him out." The proposal suggests leveraging the Crown Estate's assets to offer Prince Andrew an extremely generous price for the long lease he holds on Royal Lodge, his Windsor residence. The goal? To facilitate his permanent departure from public life and a move into exile.
Royal Lodge, a Grade II listed building with significant historical value, has been Prince Andrew's primary residence for several years. He signed a long lease on the property in 2003, and it has since been the subject of renovation and, more recently, controversy. The financial details of the lease agreement are complex, but it is understood to be a significant asset for the Prince.
The suggestion of using the Crown Estate to resolve the situation is a bold one. The Crown Estate is a vast portfolio of land, property, and assets that belong to the reigning monarch "in right of the Crown." Revenue generated by the Crown Estate is surrendered to the Treasury in exchange for the Civil List, which funds the monarch's official duties. While the Crown Estate is not the private property of the monarch, using its funds in this manner would undoubtedly raise questions of public accountability and fairness.
Proponents of the plan argue that the reputational damage caused by Prince Andrew's continued presence in the public eye is far more costly to the monarchy in the long run. They believe that a decisive, albeit expensive, solution is necessary to draw a line under the issue and allow the Royal Family to move forward. A substantial payout, funded by the Crown Estate through the repurchase of the Royal Lodge lease, would provide Prince Andrew with the means to establish a new life away from the UK, effectively removing him from the public sphere.
The potential downsides of such a move are obvious. Critics are likely to condemn the use of public funds to reward someone who has brought such disrepute to the Royal Family. The optics of paying off Prince Andrew, even if it is framed as a lease buy-back, could be damaging. However, supporters argue that the long-term benefits of protecting the monarchy's reputation outweigh the short-term criticism.
Whether this controversial proposal will gain traction remains to be seen. It highlights the desperate need for a resolution to the Prince Andrew saga
The ongoing controversy surrounding Prince Andrew continues to be a major headache for the Royal Family, and a radical solution is now being floated: using the Crown Estate to effectively "buy him out." The proposal suggests leveraging the Crown Estate's assets to offer Prince Andrew an extremely generous price for the long lease he holds on Royal Lodge, his Windsor residence. The goal? To facilitate his permanent departure from public life and a move into exile.
Royal Lodge, a Grade II listed building with significant historical value, has been Prince Andrew's primary residence for several years. He signed a long lease on the property in 2003, and it has since been the subject of renovation and, more recently, controversy. The financial details of the lease agreement are complex, but it is understood to be a significant asset for the Prince.
The suggestion of using the Crown Estate to resolve the situation is a bold one. The Crown Estate is a vast portfolio of land, property, and assets that belong to the reigning monarch "in right of the Crown." Revenue generated by the Crown Estate is surrendered to the Treasury in exchange for the Civil List, which funds the monarch's official duties. While the Crown Estate is not the private property of the monarch, using its funds in this manner would undoubtedly raise questions of public accountability and fairness.
Proponents of the plan argue that the reputational damage caused by Prince Andrew's continued presence in the public eye is far more costly to the monarchy in the long run. They believe that a decisive, albeit expensive, solution is necessary to draw a line under the issue and allow the Royal Family to move forward. A substantial payout, funded by the Crown Estate through the repurchase of the Royal Lodge lease, would provide Prince Andrew with the means to establish a new life away from the UK, effectively removing him from the public sphere.
The potential downsides of such a move are obvious. Critics are likely to condemn the use of public funds to reward someone who has brought such disrepute to the Royal Family. The optics of paying off Prince Andrew, even if it is framed as a lease buy-back, could be damaging. However, supporters argue that the long-term benefits of protecting the monarchy's reputation outweigh the short-term criticism.
Whether this controversial proposal will gain traction remains to be seen. It highlights the desperate need for a resolution to the Prince Andrew saga
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