Pressure is increasing on Prince Andrew to appear before Members of Parliament as demands grow for him to testify before a select committee regarding the use of public funds. The 65-year-old is reportedly considering leaving his 30-room Royal Lodge voluntarily amid controversy over the nominal rent he pays for the Windsor property.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has urged the Public Accounts Committee to investigate whether taxpayer money has been used to support Andrew’s living arrangements. Sir Ed emphasized that by tarnishing his royal position, Prince Andrew is forfeiting any entitlement to special treatment funded by taxpayers, and it is the responsibility of Parliament to oversee this. He proposed a thorough inquiry by a select committee to scrutinize the management of support provided by the Crown Estate, with both Crown Estate officials and Prince Andrew being called upon to provide testimony for transparency.
Sir Ed has corresponded with the chair of the Public Accounts Committee, Conservative MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, who intends to seek more information on the lease agreements for Royal Lodge from the Crown Estate and the government.
Select committees, bipartisan bodies that gather evidence and present findings to Parliament, play a crucial role in this process. Sir Ed stressed the importance of accountability and transparency, noting that the focus should be on ensuring the proper use of public funds without any preferential treatment.
Regarding discussions with the Palace, it is reported that Prince Andrew is reluctant to vacate his residence of over two decades due to unresolved issues concerning the location of his new home and financial compensation for lodge renovations. Negotiations include Andrew’s request for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s former residence, Frogmore Cottage, and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson’s potential move to Adelaide Cottage once Prince William and Kate Middleton relocate.
When asked about the provision for the Prince’s ex-wife, Sir Ed deferred the decision to others, indicating that taxpayer expectations might not align with such arrangements.
In the midst of these developments, calls in the United States are growing for Prince Andrew to provide testimony on his observations, despite his denial of any misconduct.