King Charles’ Royal Lodge ‘olive department’ to Harry and Meghan may irk Andrew
King Charles is set to offer Royal Lodge to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in bid to heal rift as an olive branch, but move could displease Andrew who lived there for 20 years
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour 2018 on June 9, 2018 (Image: Getty Images)
King Charles is reportedly set to offer Royal Lodge – Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s former residence – to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
The monarch is understood to be keen on healing the rift with Harry, 41, following the breakdown believed to have occurred since he and Meghan Markle departed the Royal Family for a new life in California in 2020.
Royal Lodge is currently empty after Charles removed his brother, Andrew, late last year and sources believe the King views it as a chance for his son and daughter-in-law.
One insider revealed: “This would be the ultimate olive branch. Charles wants unity. Offering Harry a significant Windsor property would send a powerful message that the door is still open.”
However, it is thought this would likely anger Andrew, the former Duke of York, who had resided at Royal Lodge for 20 years. The father-of-two has reportedly found it difficult adjusting to his temporary residence, Wood Farm, which he allegedly branded as “beneath him”.
In his piece on Substack, royal columnist Rob Shuter says he has consulted with various insiders who believe Charles, 77, is prepared to let bygones be bygones and move on from the past with Harry, reports the Mirror. The sources have characterised Royal Lodge, which sits in Windsor Great Park, as “expensive to maintain, in need of serious repairs, and weighed down by years of controversy”.
The property had served as Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s residence since 2004, but the repercussions from the Epstein revelations prompted Andrew’s departure to Wood Farm and Sarah’s move to another location. Images released by the Daily Mirror last year, however, revealed the massive scale of renovation work required at the 30-bedroom estate.
Uncertainty persists over whether Harry and 44-year-old Meghan plan to resume royal responsibilities. Last year suggested the pair had contemplated swapping America for Britain, especially when passport documentation for Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet featured HRH (His/Her Royal Highness) titles alongside the Sussex surname.
This was allegedly because Harry and Meghan want their children to make their own choices about becoming working royals or remaining private citizens as they mature. However, in the Substack piece released this week, one insider confessed: “The optics are tricky.
“Moving Harry and Meghan into Andrew’s old house ties them to a property that’s become synonymous with scandal.”
Last month, reports indicated the King had extended an invitation to the Sussexes for lodging at Highgrove House during the 2027 Invictus Games, scheduled for Birmingham.
The city secured hosting rights through its robust dedication to supporting serving personnel and veterans’ wellbeing and rehabilitation.
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