Prince Andrew’s position at Royal Lodge hangs in the balance following the breakdown of a commercial arrangement with Dutch firm StartUpBootCamp.
The partnership would have generated funds to cover the substantial maintenance costs of the Windsor estate.
Andrew faces possible removal from the 30-bedroom residence where he has lived without paying rent for twenty years.
Sources told the Telegraph that this deal is now “dead in the water”.
Prince Andrew’s position at Royal Lodge hangs in the balance following the breakdown of a commercial arrangement with Dutch firm StartUpBootCamp.
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The arrangement was crucial for meeting the lease requirements that demand that Andrew finance the Grade II-listed property’s upkeep.
Buckingham Palace has applied considerable pressure for Andrew to vacate the grand residence as officials believe the palatial home no longer suits his diminished royal standing.
The proposed arrangement involved monetising connections and networks established through Pitch@Palace, the Andrew’s entrepreneurial platform founded in 2014.
These introductions held significant commercial value for StartUpBootCamp and the Dutch firm would have paid substantial fees for each contact provided.
Andrew faces possible removal from the 30-bedroom residence where he has lived without paying rent for twenty years.
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Company representatives met with senior palace officials during the summer to obtain clearance before finalising commercial terms.
StartUpBootCamp initiated preliminary work on reviving the Pitch@Palace network across Middle Eastern and Asian markets.
The firm assured the King’s advisers they would avoid using Buckingham Palace or Prince Andrew’s royal connections in marketing materials.
Palace officials maintained what a royal source described as a “passive rather than an active role” in the prince’s financial matters. The presentation initially satisfied concerns about legitimate funding sources.
Andrew now faces pressing questions about financing the estate’s substantial obligations.
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The partnership ultimately unravelled when StartUpBootCamp executives grew concerned about negative publicity surrounding Andrew.
Company directors feared association with Andrew would harm their brand, particularly given his links to Jeffrey Epstein and recent involvement in a Chinese spy controversy.
Initially, Andrew managed to retain his residence by demonstrating evidence of independent earnings through the StartUpBootCamp partnership.
This proof temporarily satisfied palace requirements for legitimate income sources.
The proposed arrangement involved monetising connections and networks established through Pitch@Palace, the Andrew’s entrepreneurial platform founded in 2014.
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The arrangement’s collapse, which palace officials were not notified about, has created fresh uncertainty about Andrew’s financial position.
Andrew now faces pressing questions about financing the estate’s substantial obligations.
His lease agreement with the Crown Estate mandates comprehensive insurance coverage protecting against natural disasters, terrorist incidents and civil unrest.
Additional financial burdens include significant council tax payments for the sprawling property.
The maintenance requirements for the historic building are also extensive and costly.
