Legal expert details what the Crown Estate expects from him
Andrew Mountbatten Windsor has been dealt a setback as a leading litigator outlines why securing his £488,000 surrender payment from King Charles may not be straightforward. Bryan Johnston, a property litigation partner at Dentons, broke down the terms surrounding Andrew’s early exit from Royal Lodge, Hello! reports.
Johnston noted that Andrew’s position has been shaped by the intense media attention that followed his association with Jeffrey Epstein. With that pressure came renewed scrutiny of the lease rules at Royal Lodge and what Andrew must meet before any payout is confirmed.
He explained that the arrangement is similar to the Wales family’s long term home at Forest Lodge. Under a 20 year Common Law Tenancy, a tenant can give up their interest with at least a year’s notice. Still, Johnston stressed that even after the surrender process begins, Andrew remains fully responsible for every term in the lease until the final handover.
These obligations include repairs and redecoration, which could be expensive if the property is not in good condition. Johnston added that while Andrew is entitled to a surrender premium, the Crown Estate can reclaim any losses caused by breaches of the lease.
He warned that the total cost of meeting these requirements may even exceed the value of the payout itself, leaving Andrew with little to gain financially from an early surrender.
