Prince Andrew will remain in his 30-room Royal Lodge home after King Charles reportedly ended efforts to move him to a smaller property. The Duke of York, who has lived there since 2004 with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, holds a 75-year lease signed in 2003 with the Crown Estate, which protects his legal right to stay as long as he meets its terms.
Royal experts describe this as a limited victory for Andrew. While it allows him to remain in the residence, it does nothing to restore his public standing or position within the royal family, both damaged after his association with Jeffrey Epstein and his withdrawal from royal duties in 2019.
The upkeep of Royal Lodge is costly, reportedly requiring several million dollars a year. Andrew has already spent over $9 million on repairs and renovations and pays about $337,000 annually in rent. The property faces issues like dampness, cracks in brickwork, peeling paint, and plaster damage. Experts warn that in 2028, the Crown Estate could revisit the arrangement if maintenance problems persist.
The king, 76, had previously hoped Andrew would move to Frogmore Cottage, formerly occupied by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, but Andrew refused. Reports claim Charles has removed valuable artifacts from the lodge for security and maintenance reasons and has not renewed Andrew’s private security contract, which was costing nearly $4 million annually.
Although Andrew has been keeping a low profile, he has occasionally appeared at family events such as Easter Sunday services and the Garter Day lunch. However, royal commentators say he is unlikely to return to public life and faces continued scrutiny over his finances and potential future income sources.
