Following renewed public criticism over his living situation, Prince Andrew, the former Duke of York, is said to be considering leaving his 30-bedroom Grade II listed home on the Windsor Estate. Buckingham Palace is said to be “trying to increase pressure” for him to leave voluntarily, according to the Daily Mail, adding that the king could potentially pay Prince Andrew to leave the Royal Lodge as he cannot be legally evicted.
Sources suggest it’s a matter of “when, not if” Andrew will leave, as he appears to have accepted the inevitable despite still having 50 years left on his lease. However, Andrew is said to have a secured contract for Royal Lodge, meaning he could be eligible for a payout of up to £500,000 ( ₹5,84,75,500 Cr) from the Crown estate which manages the property if he decides to leave.
The royal brother acquired the lease in 2003, paying £1 million for a 75-year lease and a further £7.5 million for repairs and renovations, effectively covering the upfront rent. If he leaves by next June, he would be owed £557,000 under the terms of his contract ( ₹6,51,41,707 Cr), whereby the amount will be gradually reduced till 2028, after which no compensation will be payable.
Experts told the Daily Mail that the king could either compensate his brother directly or arrange for the crown estate to be repaid as it generates income that supports public spending.
Buckingham Palace would probably be unwilling, like Andrew, to have the royal finances controlled by Parliament if he was paid from public funds. The king had long wanted Andrew to downsize and move out, believing the mansion’s “crippling” running costs had partly contributed to his long association with shady business figures, including convicted Jeffrey Epstein, the report said.
Read also | Prince Andrew has been rent-free in Windsor since 2003, the lease runs until 2078
Andrew allegedly told Epstein they were “going to play soon” just one day after a photo of him with a sex victim was released.
While admitting that discussions may still be ongoing, the sources indicated that claims of an imminent deal could be slightly premature. However, both sides want to reach a resolution as soon as possible due to continued public pressure.
The prince’s living conditions have come under scrutiny this week following reports that he has essentially paid no rent for 22 years as part of a ‘pepper deal’. Questions also remain about where he and potentially his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, with whom he still lives, will move.
Read also | Memoirs of Prince Andrews and accuser Epstein reignite scandal that has long dogged British royals
King’s earlier offer to Andrew
Meanwhile, the king reportedly previously offered Andrew Frogmore Cottage, Harry and Meghan’s former home, but he declined. There has also been speculation that he may have been “banished” to Scotland or Norfolk to live on one of the King’s private estates, although most of these claims are not taken seriously.
Another, albeit unlikely, possibility would be Adelaide Cottage, recently vacated by the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Read also | Prince Andrew loses Duke title: Timeline of royal fall amid Epstein link
Andrew reportedly wishes to stay in or around Windsor if possible, or move closer to London, where his daughters live. He is also said to want to make sure Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, who are based at St James’s Palace and Kensington Palace, have a secure future, the report said. The king, who is known to be fond of his nieces, shares the same opinion.
Buckingham Palace declined to provide any comment and Andrew’s representatives could not be reached. However, with parliamentary pressure mounting on Andrew to clarify his position, both sides appear keen to settle the matter quickly.
Andrew was forced to relinquish all his royal titles last week following damning revelations in The Mail on Sunday that he “remained in contact with sexual predator Epstein for longer than he admitted”. The king acted to mitigate the effects by getting his brother to renounce the title of Duke of York and other honours. Although the titles have been suspended, they continue to exist legally. Andrew has consistently denied the allegations.
(With inputs from The Daily Mail)
