Pictures have emerged showing the dilapidated state of Prince Andrew’s residence, Royal Lodge, but the Duke of York is reportedly refusing to leave.
Sources suggest the duke has become a captive of his own pride in the property, and it’s reported King Charles is unwilling to continue funding his brother’s lifestyle.
Despite this, 64-year-old Andrew is believed to have declined his brother’s offer to move from Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park in Berkshire to Frogmore Cottage, just five miles away. This cottage was previously the home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle before they relocated to the US.
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The recent photographs reveal the tired and crumbling walls of Royal Lodge. Moss can be seen on the structure and paint is peeling away. Scaffolding has been spotted at the front of the property, along with a skip filled with rubble.
Royal Lodge has been a site of homes since the 17th Century, with the current structure dating back to the 19th Century and expanded in the 1930s. It served as the Windsor residence of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother from 1952 until her death there in 2002, aged 101, reports the Mirror.
In 2004, Andrew and his then-wife Sarah Ferguson moved into Royal Lodge, where they continue to reside despite their long-standing divorce.
A confidante of King Charles voiced: “As things stand, life at Royal Lodge is set to become increasingly cold and uncomfortable for the duke.
“The only question now is when he will realise that he has become a prisoner of his own pride – and that handing back the keys will afford him far greater comfort, and the continued support of his family.”
In the midst of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, Andrew was impelled to bow out from Royal duties. He left the public sphere in November 2019, conceding it had “become clear [that] my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family’s work”. He has always denied any allegations.
An insider close to the royals disclosed to The Times that accepting the truth of his situation is taking Andrew “longer than desirable to recognise the reality of the situation”. They said: “If he doesn’t agree to move to a property better suited to his needs, then the King may have to reconsider the levels of support he is willing to provide.”
According to the most recent YouGov survey, Prince Andrew is distinctly the least favoured member of the Royal Family. The poll results demonstrated merely 9% favourability for the duke, whereas 76% of respondents reported disliking him.
Charles has previously suggested his brother relocate to Frogmore Cottage, formerly the home of Meghan and Harry. This royal recommendation for Andrew to downgrade corresponded with reports that his yearly £250,000 allowance from the late Queen Elizabeth had been slashed.
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