All posts tagged: andrew mountbatten windsor

Can the royal sub-letting scandal be justified?

Can the royal sub-letting scandal be justified?

Published by Daniella Wilson

An inquiry into the Crown Estate triggered by the Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor sub-letting controversy heard from the organisation’s chief executive on Monday. Alongside fielding questions over his salary jumping £517,000 in 2019 to £2.3m in 2026, Dan Labbad was grilled by MPs regarding Andrew’s practice of charging his Royal Lodge tenants rent while only paying peppercorn (nominal) rent himself.  “Those potential income streams were taken into account in determining what best value was at the time,” said Dan, in a sentence so ambiguous it may as well be a cryptic crossword clue. Dan also suggested the sub-letting practice is commonplace, a tacit admission that perhaps it isn’t wholly justifiable but everyone’s at it so don’t pick on us, okay. And maybe he’s right? Are our parliamentarians getting their proverbials in a twist over nothing – mere peppercorns, if you will?  It may not be a great look for the Royal Family but Andrew’s tenants weren’t being charged market rent, merely enough to cover running costs, so he wasn’t exactly coining it in by dint of the …

Royal Engagement Rings: From Princess Diana’s Sapphire to Grace Kelly’s 10-Cart Sparkler

Royal Engagement Rings: From Princess Diana’s Sapphire to Grace Kelly’s 10-Cart Sparkler

Published by Sam Flores

Bucking tradition, a giddy Diana got to choose the stones and setting from Garrard & Co.. “A briefcase comes along on the pretext that [Prince] Andrew is getting a signet ring for his 21st birthday and along come these sapphires,” Diana recalled, per Morton. “I mean nuggets! I suppose I chose it, we all chipped in.” In a move that surprised the queen, Diana chose the largest stone presented, a 12-carat oval blue Ceylon sapphire surrounded by a halo of diamonds. The 18-carat setting was simply picked from a catalogue—a scandal for the time. While anyone with $37,000 could have the same ring, it did at least have royal pedigree. The design was based on a sapphire-and-diamond brooch Prince Albert had made for his wedding to Queen Victoria in 1840. Although she would later consider the ring too old-fashioned, a young Diana reveled in showing it off. At one dinner party, it became a topic of conversation, and Diana let an admirer try it on. “I’ll have to have it back, though,’ she quipped. ‘Otherwise …

What Living in a Royal Residence Is Really Like

What Living in a Royal Residence Is Really Like

Published by Sam Flores

The multibillion-dollar royal real estate portfolio is a tangled web of different residences, technically owned by differing entities. Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, St. James’s Palace, Kensington Palace, and Clarence House are owned by the king, in right of the crown. Others like Balmoral and Sandringham are privately owned by the king, while some, like Adelaide Cottage and Frogmore Cottage, are owned by the Crown Estate. Overall, King Charles is estimated to control around 100 grace-and-favor residences. Kings and queens have always been charged with housing their family, courtiers, servants, and the odd illegitimate child. But the idea of “grace and favor” residences, per Historia Magazine, seems to have cemented in the 1700s, when King George II abandoned the rundown Hampton Court Palace, 12 miles away from central London. Putting the massive palace to use, he gifted suites to lesser family members and those who had been of service to the crown. “Many of them were aristocratic widows in straitened circumstances, who were offered free accommodation in return for their husbands’ services …

Prince Harry “Close to Tears” Over UK Visit Security Situation

Prince Harry “Close to Tears” Over UK Visit Security Situation

Published by Sam Flores

When RAVEC informed the Sussexes this would not be the case, hours after they reportedly issued a detailed op note about the engagements they planned to carry out, the Duke of Sussex “was devastated and close to tears,” a source told Vanity Fair. “He had assumed that because he was bringing the kids, and the king had made a royal residence available to them, he would get what he has been pushing for all along—full-time police protection. That has not been the case,” the source said. “The king has made it clear that while he wants to see his estranged son and grandchildren, he will not intervene in security matters.” It has been reported that, following Harry’s various appeals through the High Court, RAVEC began a new risk assessment of Harry’s security late last year, but that review has not been concluded. “From speaking to people close to him, it’s clear he is stressed and very disappointed in RAVEC’s decision not to give his family the security he believes they need to have to be …

All About Althorp: Princess Diana’s Home and Final Resting Place

All About Althorp: Princess Diana’s Home and Final Resting Place

Published by Sam Flores

The Althorp Estate’s Beginnings The first recorded mention of a place then known as “Olletorp” appears in the Domesday Book of 1086. Originally a small village, it had become deserted by 1505, due to the Black Death, as some historians believe. In 1508, John Spencer, whose family were wildly successful sheep farmers, wool traders, and landowners, purchased what is now known as Althorp for 800 British pounds from a family named Catesby. Here, John, nicknamed “the founder,” built a moated red brick Tudor mansion. As subsequent Spencers earned riches, status, and titles, Althorp grew. In 1688, the original mansion was almost totally rebuilt and the parklands were redesigned. “The house, or rather palace, at Althorpe is a noble uniform pile in form of a half H, built of brick and freestone ‘a la moderne’; the hall is well, the staircase excellent; the rooms of state, galleries, offices, and furniture, such as may become a great prince,” diarist John Evelyn wrote, per Althorp: The Story of an English House. “It is situate in the midst of …

Andrew proved he’s not learning – arrogance unbelievable | Royal | News

Andrew proved he’s not learning – arrogance unbelievable | Royal | News

Published by Sam Flores

Since he was a child studying at Gordonstoun, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was accused of arrogance and entitlement – sadly it appears he still has not learnt his lesson. Fellow pupils at the Scottish boarding school recalled Andrew as boastful, “full of himself,” and quick to use his royal status to demand VIP treatment, snapping at others: “You do know who I am?” You would naturally assume the 66 year-old would have been humbled lately, after losing his titles, his 30-room Royal Lodge mansion in Windsor, the Epstein Files revelations and his public arrest by Thames Valley Police. ‘That image’ of a haunted Andrew returning home to Sandringham after his early morning arrest last February showed a man on the brink – he strenuously denies any wrongdoing and investigations continue. He’s also suffered a significant downsizing in staff – from 28 to just three – and property, since leaving Royal Lodge in Windsor for his cosy five-bedroom Marsh Farm cottage in Norfolk. Then there have been reports that King Charles has not paid his brother a visit …

Royals who missed Trooping the Colour – including Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and newlywed Peter Phillips

Royals who missed Trooping the Colour – including Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and newlywed Peter Phillips

Published by Daniella Wilson

King Charles and other senior members of the royal family attended Trooping the Colour on Saturday, but there were several notable absences. In her final years on the throne, the late Queen started restricting the balcony appearance to only working royals, and for the most part, Charles has kept to this rule, although children of working royals could attend, with Lady Louise Windsor joining the family in 2024. With Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis once again stealing the show at the annual event, scroll down to see the royals who didn’t celebrate with the family. © UK Press via Getty Images The York sisters weren’t seen in public for the event Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie Given what has happened in the past year, it’s not surprising that the York sisters weren’t present at the celebrations. Although the royals aren’t involved with the Epstein scandal that has embroiled their parents, it was recently revealed by a National Audit Office publication that they had been living in royal properties for below market-level rent. © …

Andrew’s 4-word ‘rule’ for Beatrice and Eugenie on how to behave | Royal | News

Andrew’s 4-word ‘rule’ for Beatrice and Eugenie on how to behave | Royal | News

Published by Sam Flores

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie’s appearance at Peter Phillips’ wedding last weekend has sparked discussion after reports claimed Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor told his daughters to attend the family occasion with a simple four-word message. The York sisters joined members of the Royal Family at the Gloucestershire wedding alongside their husbands, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank, following months of intense scrutiny surrounding both their parents and their own positions within the monarchy. Beatrice and Eugenie were photographed walking to the venue, drawing significant attention. According to the Daily Mail, the sisters had reportedly been uncertain about whether to attend the wedding at all before receiving encouragement from their father, who is now living on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. A source told the Mail: “For while Beatrice and Eugenie are said to have been in two minds about whether or not even to attend their cousin’s nuptials, I can reveal that Andrew – still nursing an ego as bruised as his recently-photographed face – emailed his daughters from exile in rural Norfolk, urging them not merely …

Fresh Andrew questions over ‘ghastly’ bruise – ‘tell us what caused it’ | Royal | News

Fresh Andrew questions over ‘ghastly’ bruise – ‘tell us what caused it’ | Royal | News

Published by Sam Flores

The picture, which shows a large bruise covering part of Andrew’s face, was taken while he was behind the wheel near his Marsh Farm residence on the Sandringham Estate. The purple bruise stretched from his right temple, around his eye, to his cheek, with speculation mounting about how he got it. While Helena Chard, a British broadcaster and photographer said “there is no cause for concern or need for a ‘hoo ha’”, she added that “tongues are obviously wagging”. Meanwhile, Hilary Fordwich, a royal expert, told Fox News: “We can clearly see a ghastly, huge bruise. It was characterized as something ‘routine’ medically, but that’s difficult to imagine. Sadly, this obfuscation doesn’t bode well for public trust. If it was due to a medical procedure, just tell us what it was.” Royal broadcaster Ian Pelham Turner added: “The reported medical condition said to be behind the bruise is going to create more speculation about the accident-prone former prince.” Andrew has rarely been seen in public since moving to Marsh Farm in February. The recent picture …

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor hit by fresh Epstein claims as private Buckingham Palace dinner is revealed

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor hit by fresh Epstein claims as private Buckingham Palace dinner is revealed

Published by Daniella Wilson

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor allegedly dined with a woman who was working as Jeffrey Epstein’s personal assistant in his private rooms at Buckingham Palace.  Sarah Kellen worked for Epstein for more than a decade from 2001 and said she was regularly raped by the paedophile financier, stating she was “sexually and psychologically abused” by him.  Testifying before the US House oversight committee last month, she revealed she was invited to dine at Buckingham Palace by the former Duke of York and also attended the 18th birthday party of his daughter, Princess Beatrice, at Windsor Castle.   She identified Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, as being part of Epstein’s network of “prominent individuals”.  Recommended videoYou may also likeWATCH: Will Andrew receive compensation for Royal Lodge? In a transcript from May 21, she said: “Prince Andrew was at the New York house. We also went to Andrew’s private apartment at Buckingham Palace for dinner. And we were at Princess Beatrice’s party at Windsor Castle.” Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing.  Beatrice and Eugenie’s mention in the Epstein files …