Prince Andrew is reportedly fighting to keep Royal Lodge(Image: AFP via Getty Images)The future of Prince Andrew at royal lodge is uncertain. After stepping down from public duties in May 2020 and subsequently losing his patronages due to his association with Jeffrey Epstein, questions continue to swirl about whether he should be allowed to stay at the grand Windsor estate and how he will afford it.
His brother, the King, is reportedly pressuring Andrew to leave the 30-room property for a smaller, more suitable residence. Currently, only Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson live at royal lodge, with their daughters residing elsewhere with their own families.
This has led to widespread speculation about who might move into the Windsor estate if Andrew decides to depart.
Previously, it was reported Prince William and Kate could be offered the seven-bedroom royal residence as a family home for their three children.
However, this seems unlikely as experts have pointed out, according to reports in the Mirror, the couple appears quite content at their current home, Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Great Park.
King Charles III is reportedly looking to rent the Royal Lodge(Image: PA)Moreover, Adelaide Cottage is set up as a family house without any live-in staff. A move to the expansive Royal Lodge would necessitate accommodating domestic staff, something William and Kate are believed to be against.
With this in consideration, Charles may offer the 30-room mansion to another prominent couple. Gareth Russell, a royal author, previously shared his insights with GB News on who might be the best fit to move into royal lodge, given its high-profile history as the last residence of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, and its traditional assignment to senior royals.
He suggested: “The logical choice, of course, would be the Prince and Princess of Wales, but they’ve shown relatively little interest in moving home again. They seem quite content where they are. It could be the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.”
Edward and Sophie have resided at Bagshot Park since their nuptials in 1999. The Grade II-listed building, nestled within 51 acres of land and boasting a staggering 120 rooms, was demolished and rebuilt in 1879.
Whether they decide to relocate remains uncertain. However, Russell proposed another possibility. “It could also be that this is part of another move by the King to slim down or shake up the royal property portfolio. It’s not the case that we’re seeing them being replaced by other royals as much as they were in the past. So it may be that Royal Lodge is just put to different use once Prince Andrew leaves. It’s possible that no one will go into Royal Lodge.”
King Charles is reportedly pressing his younger brother to move into Frogmore Cottage, the previous residence of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
However, it’s understood that Andrew is reluctant to vacate his current property, having turned down alternative housing offers due to a “cast-iron lease” he depends on.
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