Prince Andrew Granted Indefinite Stay at Royal Lodge Amidst Stand-Off with King Charles
Prince Andrew has reportedly been granted an indefinite stay at the Royal Lodge after a stand-off with King Charles. The disgraced Duke of York will continue living at the lodging located on the Windsor estate.
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth in 2022, it was initially reported that Buckingham Palace and the monarch were keen on having the Duke of York move into Frogmore Cottage, also situated on the estate. However, Andrew refused to vacate the Royal Lodge, despite requests from the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children.
According to a royal insider, a deal has now been struck to allow Prince Andrew more time to source funds to cover the estimated £2 million ($3.8 million) needed for repairs on the 30-room mansion. The decision was made after a private meeting between Andrew and his brother King Charles at Balmoral in August of this year.
In the meantime, Andrew has reportedly spent £200,000 ($380,000) on roof repairs over the summer as an interim payment for the lodging.
Prince Andrew has been residing at the Royal Lodge since 2003 when he received it from his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. It is believed that Andrew has been using an inheritance left by the Queen to fund the repair work, although exact details and amounts have been sealed.
Earlier reports suggested that King Charles may face an annual bill of nearly $700,000 if he forced Prince Andrew to move into Frogmore Cottage. The property was previously occupied by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle but has since been vacated by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. If Andrew’s lease is terminated early, the Crown Estate would need to reimburse him.
In 2022, the Duke of York was stripped of his military titles and royal patronages following US civil action over sexual assault allegations against him.
Despite the ongoing controversy surrounding Prince Andrew, it seems he will be allowed to remain at the Royal Lodge for the foreseeable future. The decision to grant him an indefinite stay reflects the complex dynamics within the royal family and the challenges faced by King Charles in managing various relationships and expectations.
