Prince Andrew in Talks to Leave His Longtime Royal Residence After Giving Up Titles: Report
‘The Telegraph’ reports that there is a growing sense that Prince Andrew will agree to move out despite his initial response of digging in his heels

Prince Andrew is reportedly in talks to leave Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, the 30-room mansion where he’s lived since 2003, after giving up use of his royal titles and honors.

Andrew, 65, is in advanced negotiations on a daily basis with King Charles’ representatives regarding his departure from the residence, The Telegraph reported on Friday, Oct. 24. The outlet added that Buckingham Palace officials are urging him to leave voluntarily, as he cannot be evicted under the terms of his current lease.

In a copy of a leasehold agreement for the Royal Lodge shared by The Times this week, it was revealed that Prince Andrew has paid “one peppercorn (if demanded)” in rent per year since 2003. He and his family are entitled to live in the property until 2078, according to the outlet.

The Telegraph reports that there is a growing sense that Prince Andrew will agree to move out despite his initial response of digging in his heels and pointing to the 50 years remaining on his lease.

Should Prince Andrew agree to leave Royal Lodge, it will have to be decided where he will live and if he will receive compensation for the millions he has spent on the property’s refurbishment work and maintenance.

Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park photographed in June 2024.shutterstock

According to The Telegraph, royal sources said there was a recognition that the pair’s two adult daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, need to be reassured that their royal homes in St. James’s Palace and Kensington Palace, respectively, won’t be affected by a change in Andrew’s living arrangements.

If Prince Andrew leaves Royal Lodge, the simplest solution would be relocating him to one of King Charles’ private estates, such as Sandringham or Balmoral, where he could live rent-free without taxpayer expense. However, Andrew reportedly wants to stay in London or Windsor near his daughters. A smaller Windsor property would reduce public backlash but require rent he may struggle to afford, while moving him into Windsor Castle or Buckingham Palace could spark criticism that he’s being rewarded rather than penalized, according to The Telegraph.

There is public scrutiny over Prince Andrew’s taxpayer-subsidized accommodations, as Royal Lodge is leased from the Crown Estate, given his step back from royal work in recent years due to his connections to Jeffrey Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal conspiracy and sex trafficking charges.

Prince Andrew stepped back from his public royal role in 2019 following his bombshell BBC interview in which he discussed his relationship with Epstein.

Queen Elizabeth then stripped her second son of his military titles and patronages in January 2022 after a judge rejected his attempt to have Giuffre’s sexual assault lawsuit against him dismissed. He settled with Giuffre out of court for an undisclosed sum.

Prince Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty

Amid renewed interest in his ties to Epstein, Prince Andrew said in a statement released on Oct. 17, “In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family. I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.”

“With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me,” he added. “As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”