Prince Andrew could be compelled to vacate his £30 million Windsor home by October after King Charles reportedly dismissed his ten-man private security team.
The Duke of York is said to have been given an autumn deadline to leave Royal Lodge, the 30-room mansion he shares with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson.
The ultimatum from King Charles comes after persistent efforts to move his disgraced younger brother out of the property, with previous reports suggesting the monarch wishes to rent it out for £1 million a year. However, Andrew has resisted these efforts, citing a 75-year lease he signed with the Crown Estate in 2003. This lease required a £1 million down payment and an annual rent of £260,000.
Complicating the situation further are the extensive repairs needed for the property, with renovation costs already amounting to £7 million. The Royal Lodge has reportedly fallen into disrepair, with visible signs of neglect around the building.
King Charles' recent move to dismiss Andrew's private security team, which has been funded by the monarch since armed police protection was withdrawn in 2022 following the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, suggests a new push to force Andrew out. The security team is expected to remain in place until their contract expires at the end of October, with no replacement planned.
A source told The Sun on Sunday, "Everyone is speculating this means the Duke will have to leave the Royal Lodge because what other reason could there be to take his security away?" The insider also mentioned that it's no secret the King wants Andrew out of the property.
Earlier this year, reports emerged that King Charles could even cut off the £4 million annual allowance he provides to Andrew. Despite these financial pressures, Andrew has refused to move into the nearby Frogmore Cottage, the former UK home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, which was offered to him as an alternative residence.
The King is reportedly eager to generate commercial revenue from Royal Lodge as soon as possible, and Andrew’s departure would facilitate this. The property has already seen over £7 million spent on renovations, yet it remains in need of further repairs. Photos from earlier this year showed scaffolding and a skip outside the property, along with visible signs of deterioration.
The lease Andrew signed in 2003 requires him to maintain the property, including repainting the exterior every five years and redecorating the interior every seven years. However, it appears that some of these obligations have not been fully met, contributing to the building's current state.
While the King has offered to continue funding Andrew's security if he downsizes to Frogmore Cottage, sources close to the Duke insist that he has no intention of leaving Royal Lodge, citing his "cast iron lease."
As the October deadline approaches, it remains to be seen whether Andrew will comply with the King’s wishes or continue to resist. The situation highlights the ongoing tension within the royal family, as well as the financial and logistical challenges of maintaining such a significant property. Photo by Thorne1983, Wikimedia commons.
