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Royal family watchers might believe that King Charles III has distanced himself completely from his disgraced brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. However, reports emerged that the monarch covered a £1.5 million repair bill for Royal Lodge.
Lease Surrendered
On Friday, October 9, the Crown Estate confirmed that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor had formally surrendered his lease on Royal Lodge.
According to People, the property came with an enormous repair bill. The outlet noted that “King Charles, 77, covered the $2.4 million for repairs from his private funds.”
Meanwhile, Town & Country reported that “The money the King has paid is understood to be on top of the money he gives Andrew from his personal funds each year to fund his lifestyle.”
Andrew was entitled to approximately £302,000 in compensation for surrendering his lease early, which reduced the outstanding balance to roughly £1.5 million. However, he did not receive the money directly, as it was deducted from the repair bill.
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Footing the Bill
Instead of leaving Andrew to cover his own obligations, King Charles III stepped in and paid the remaining £1.5 million out of his private funds.
The payment is reportedly structured as a loan, although it remains unclear how Andrew intends to repay his brother.
Then again, there are some questions about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s finances, because he raised speculation about trips to France on private jets, and rumors of property purchases.
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The King’s decision to bail him out financially raised questions about the nature of their relationship.
On the surface, the brothers stay well away from each other, and the monarchy suffered a lot of backlash over the various scandals.
After his arrest and the questions about his alleged leaks of information to Epstein as a UK trade envoy, it seemed as if the monarchy distanced themselves very effectively.
Royal Watchers React
When Nine News Australia covered the news on YouTube, royal family watchers seemed jaded.
But one commentator defended the move by King Charles. They wrote: “Why is this giving in? It was his grandmother’s home and it needs to be kept in good repair. Andrew does not live there any more and there is no government money being used. Get over yourselves!”
Others were not so understanding. Here are a few more responses from the discussion:
- “They are so irrelevant these days it’s a farce!!!”
- “wonder where he gets the money??? Oh yeah 14 countries HAVE TO PAY monarchy TAX PAYERS MONEY every year Canada is 60 millions yearly so they don’t have to work TOO HARD.”
- “Of course he paid Andrew knows all about Charles…”
What are your thoughts? Do you believe King Charles was right to step in and pay Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s £1.5 million bill, or does it send the wrong message? Join the discussion and then come back for more royal family news and updates.