Prince Andrew’s £30m Royal Lodge of crumbling
Prince Andrew has been living at the Royal Lodge since 2003, but new images have emerged showing the 31-bedroom property in a state of disrepair
Royal Lodge is in disrepair (Image: Getty)
Newly released images depict a bleak state of Prince Andrew’s 31-bedroom Windsor home, the Royal Lodge, estimated to be worth around £30 million.
The photos, published in The Sun, show alarming signs of neglect with black mould, widespread dampness, and peeling paintwork on the exterior of the residence, including its neighbouring outbuildings and gatehouse; furthermore, the outer walls are scarred with mould damage and decay.
Since the Queen Mother’s death in 2003, the Duke of York has resided at this property.
These revelations come amid rumours that King Charles has cut Andrew’s annual £1 million allowance due to reported tensions between the brothers.
Royal Lodge crumbling (Image: N.C)
It is believed that King Charles instructed The Keeper of the Privy Purse to stop these financial contributions.
Now aged 64, Andrew reportedly invested nearly £7million into refurbishing his Royal Lodge lease back in 2003 after the Queen Mother passed away.
With King Charles’ ascension to the throne, it is suggested that the new monarch has repeatedly tried to convince Andrew to vacate the lodge for Frogmore Cottage, previously occupied by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Despite the financial squeeze, the Duke of York is reportedly digging his heels in to remain at the Royal Lodge.
Royal Lodge needs some work (Image: N.C)
A Royal source disclosed to The Sun that Andrew “is determined to stay in the Royal Lodge.”
Even with the cessation of Royal funds for his private security, he is confident of managing the hefty expenses.
Andrew’s abode within Windsor Castle’s secure perimeter enjoys its own bespoke security detail.
The estate, estimated to be valued at about £30million, houses Andrew and his ex-spouse, Sarah Ferguson, and boasts 40 hectares of woodland and lawns, eight cottages, and lodgings for security personnel.
Prince Andrew and King Charles do not see eye to eye on the matter (Image: Getty)
In a new edition of ‘Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story’, author Robert Hardman intimates that Andrew will have the duty of safeguarding numerous invaluable and historic artworks and furniture pieces on loan from the Royal Collection.
The book’s additional chapters also speculate that Queen Elizabeth II would have compelled Andrew to leave the Royal Lodge had she lived another year.
Buckingham Palace has refrained from commenting on the claims presented in the publication.
Since being stripped of his Royal duties in May 2020, the Duke of York has been stripped of his charity patronages and military titles, and is effectively barred from using his HRH title publicly.
