Calls grow for Prince Andrew to give up his mansion

PRESSURE is mounting on Prince Andrew to give up his 30-room mansion after it emerged he has paid a "peppercorn rent" for more than 20 years.

- DAVID HUGHES

Senior Tory Robert Jenrick said it was "about time Prince Andrew took himself off to live in private" as "the public are sick of him".

Parliamentary committees could also look into the Crown Estate's handling of Andrew's Royal Lodge residence in Windsor Great Park.

The campaign group Republic hasdemanded a "full, unrelenting investigation" into royal links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and efforts to protect Andrew.

Protesters from the anti-monarchy group unveiled banners outside the gates of Royal Lodge.

A copy of the leasehold agreement shows Andrew signed a 75-year lease on the property in 2003. It reveals he paid £1 million for the lease and that since then he has paid "one peppercorn" of rent "if demanded" per year. He was also required to pay a further £7.5 million for refurbishments completed in 2005, according to a report by the National Audit Office. The agreement also states the Crown Estate would have to pay Andrew around £558,000 if he gave up the lease.