Pressure is increasing for Prince Andrew to appear before Members of Parliament (MPs). There are growing demands for the disgraced royal to testify before a select committee regarding the use of taxpayer funds. It is reported that the 65-year-old is considering leaving his 30-room Royal Lodge home voluntarily due to controversy surrounding the nominal rent he currently pays on the property in Windsor.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has urged the Public Accounts Committee to launch an investigation into whether public money has been used to support Andrew’s living arrangements. He emphasized that by tarnishing his position, Prince Andrew should not receive special treatment at the expense of taxpayers, as Parliament is responsible for safeguarding public funds.
Sir Ed proposed a select committee inquiry to examine how the Crown Estate has managed its assistance and suggested that officials from the Crown Estate and Prince Andrew should provide testimony for transparency on the matter. He has written to the chair of the Public Accounts Committee, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, who intends to seek further details on the lease agreements for Royal Lodge.
Select committees, which are bipartisan groups, gather evidence and present their findings to Parliament. Sir Ed emphasized the need for government debate on the issue if a committee inquiry does not progress, underscoring the importance of accountability and transparency in determining whether Prince Andrew received special privileges.
Regarding discussions with the King’s aides, Prince Andrew is reportedly hesitant to vacate his residence of over two decades, with unresolved issues related to the location of his new home and compensation for lodge renovations. In negotiations with the Palace, Andrew has expressed interest in acquiring Frogmore Cottage, the former residence of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, while his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson plans to move into Adelaide Cottage once William and Kate relocate.
When asked about the provision for the Prince’s ex-wife, Sir Ed deferred the decision to others, citing potential taxpayer expectations on the matter. The ongoing scrutiny surrounding Prince Andrew comes amidst calls in the US for his testimony on matters related to his association with Jeffrey Epstein, which he denies. The focus on Andrew has overshadowed the King’s activities, prompting concerns about protecting the royal family’s reputation.
