Royal Residence Dilemma: Duke of York's Potential Eviction from Historic Royal Lodge Sparks Controversy

 

The Duke of York has been living at the Royal Lodge for almost twenty years, but he believes that Prince Charles may force him out of the 98-acre estate.

According to reports, Prince Andrew, who lacks a stable source of income, has reportedly refused to leave the £30 million mansion and has assured Prince Charles that he will pay for its expensive upkeep.

But he's getting depressed, supposedly worn out and angry at his brother, the king, for not moving to take care of the estate in the middle of Windsor Park.

 

It's obvious that the monarch wants his younger brother to move into the smaller Frogmore Cottage—possibly to represent his presumptive succession to the Prince of Wales throne—and live in the lodge.

In 2004, Andrew moved into the Grand Lodge, where he still resides with his former spouse, Sarah Ferguson. They signed a 75-year lease for the upkeep of the enormous property and agreed to pay £250 a week.

A portion of the purported agreement with his older brother was him taking on repair work on the 19th-century, Grade II-listed mansion, which still appears to be unfinished.

It has been reported that Andrew, who was made to resign from his royal duties as a result of the Jeffrey Epstein incident, may see reductions in his £249,000 royal budget, which would make it more challenging for the Duke to carry out his obligations.

Even though he wanted to keep the property, he allegedly informed his buddies that such drastic changes in his finances would mean he won't be able to pay the cost of the property.

 

Sources close to the Duke claimed in January that despite worries about his possible financial status, Andrew "isn't going anywhere." His lease is unbreakable." Even though he wanted to keep the property, he allegedly informed his buddies that such drastic changes in his finances would mean he won't be able to pay the cost of the property.

It was disclosed last year that the monarch had extended an offer to his younger brother of a less important land, which Andrew supposedly saw as a far-off "banishment."

Located three miles south of Windsor Castle in the middle of Windsor Park, Royal Lodge is owned by the Crown Estate.

From 1952 until her passing in 2002, the Queen Mother lived there. The 17th-century lodge has 30 rooms spread over two stories, including a conservatory and a large formal drawing room.

About 20 years ago, Prince Andrew paid £1 million in cash to the Crown Estate to purchase the Royal Lodge.

The Duke has since invested almost £40 million, even though the house's current market value is less than £30 million, after spending about £7 million on upgrades to his newly acquired residence.

£200,000 of the remodelling work went toward fixing the property's moisture problems and maintaining the roof.

Princess Eugenie, the youngest daughter of Prince Andrew, married Jack Brooksbank in 2018 and had her wedding reception at the Royal Lodge.