Though no longer a working royal, Prince Andrew continues to live in the grandeur of Royal Lodge, Windsor, resisting repeated calls from King Charles III to downsize. The Duke of York, 65, has lived at the 30-room Royal Lodge with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, since signing a 75-year lease with the Crown Estate in August 2003.
Despite being urged by his elder brother, the King, to move into a smaller royal residence, specifically Frogmore Cottage, formerly occupied by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Andrew is firmly staying put. Royal insiders report that King Charles, 76, has cut Andrew’s security funding in a bid to encourage the move.
Yet the Duke appears resolute, reportedly covering security expenses himself with a less costly private team and personally financing the significant upkeep of the property. Property expert Robin Edwards, of Curetons, told GB News that Andrew’s reluctance to move stems from a sense of entitlement and a belief that smaller residences, including Frogmore Cottage, are beneath him.
“He has refused to leave his lavish mansion and move to the significantly smaller Frogmore Cottage, believing it to be not grand enough for him,” Edwards said. However, clinging to such luxury comes at a high price. The terms of the lease require Andrew to maintain Royal Lodge using his own funds.
Reports suggest that the property needs substantial refurbishment, including both exterior paintwork and major interior upgrades. “Even back in September 2002, that [maintenance work] was very conservatively estimated at at least £7.5 million excluding tax,” Edwards said. “The costs are likely to have grown significantly since then with time and inflation.”
Some renovations reportedly began last year, but experts suggest the financial burden will continue to grow unless more extensive work is completed soon. Despite the tension over living arrangements, there appears to be little outward strain in the relationship between the brothers. Prince Andrew made a rare royal appearance just weeks ago at the Easter Sunday service in Windsor, attending alongside Sarah Ferguson.
Royal Lodge, located just a short distance from Windsor Castle, has long been associated with the late Queen Elizabeth II, who reportedly had a soft spot for the estate. For now, Andrew seems determined to hold onto what remains of his royal privileges, even as public scrutiny and internal pressure continue to mount. Whether the King’s persistence will eventually change Andrew’s mind remains to be seen.