Prince Andrew has no ‘chance’ of remaining in Royal Lodge long-term despite claims he was granted ‘indefinite’ stay

4 October 2023, 09:58

The King 'privately believes' his younger brother's stay won't be 'long-term', it has been claimed.
The King 'privately believes' his younger brother's stay won't be 'long-term', it has been claimed. Picture: Alamy

By Jenny Medlicott

King Charles ‘privately believes’ the Duke of York has no ‘long-term’ future in his Royal Lodge home, despite reports he granted his younger brother permission to stay indefinitely.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The Duke of York and King Charles reportedly struck a deal over the Royal Lodge after Andrew had work carried out on the home.

After the Duke splashed out more than £200,000 on roof repairs on the royal mansion over the summer as an ‘interim payment’, Charles reportedly gave his younger brother a "stay of execution" so he has more time to summon the funds required to stay, The Mirror reported.

But now it has been claimed that ‘no one’ believes Andrew will realistically be able to keep up the payments required to remain in the home - including the King.

A family friend told the MailOnline: “It's all a bit cloud cuckoo-land, I'm afraid. No one, not least His Majesty, believes there is any realistic, long-term chance of the Duke of York being able to keep the roof at Royal Lodge over his head.

“It's a massive property and estate that requires a huge amount of upkeep.' Another added: 'In all honesty, I would not expect to see the Duke of York of living at Royal Lodge in the long term. If he could pay the upkeep then he would be welcome to stay. But the chances of that happening are, frankly, remote.

“He and the duchess are… rattling around in a huge property they simply can't afford.”

Sources have claimed Andrew 'realistically' won't be able to stay in the lodge long-term.
Sources have claimed Andrew 'realistically' won't be able to stay in the lodge long-term. . Picture: Shutterstock

Read more: Prince Andrew granted permission to stay at Royal Lodge ‘indefinitely’ after striking deal with King

Read more: Ping pong Princess! Kate and William go head-to-head at table tennis on visit marking start of Black History Month

Sources in the royal circle also told the outlet that the Duke isn’t being “realistic” about his finances after his annual allowance, thought to be around £250,000, was cut by the King in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

"The Duke is clearly not going without a fight," one insider said. "This will all probably end in tears. Mostly likely his."

It comes after previous reports the Duke of York was refusing to leave the Royal Lodge despite Charles’ attempts to have him downsize to the smaller Frogmore Cottage as part of plans to slimline the monarchy.

The Duke, who no longer has official duties since the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, shares the Royal Lodge with his ex-wife Sarah. The pair have lived there since 2004.

Inheritance money from the late Queen made it possible for Prince Andrew to come up with a six-figure sum to make much-needed repairs to his Royal Lodge home, it was reported earlier this year.

Prince Andrew is reportedly not going 'without a fight'.
Prince Andrew is reportedly not going 'without a fight'. Picture: Getty

Andrew received an invitation to Balmoral over the summer along with Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, with reports claiming that this represented an olive branch from the King.

"Andrew’s stance has paid off," a source told The Mirror. “He has refused all attempts by the King to leave his home, dig his heels and the King has relented and granted a stay of execution. He (Andrew) is in agreement that the property needs repairs, for which he has already paid more than £200,000 recently to sort out the roof and has said he will make the further necessary renovations.

“It seems the King just wants to move on for the time being which might be a good idea for everyone.”

It is thought if the Duke was to leave the Royal Lodge, it could be given to the Prince of Wales and his family. They live in Adelaide Cottage nearby. Royal Lodge is a Grade II listed home on the Windsor Estate in Berkshire and is just a five mile drive from Windsor Castle.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Holidaymakers Begin Christmas Getaway

More than 700,000 passengers suffered delays after password of engineer allowed to work remotely didn't work

Weather maps show areas of the UK which could be hit by snow

UK weather maps show regions expected to see heavy snowfall as cold and wintry spell on the way

Cynthia Erivo

Wicked star Cynthia Erivo says feeling like an outsider and 'not fitting in' drew her to role of Elphaba

Robert F Kennedy Jr

Donald Trump picks anti-vaccine activist Robert F Kennedy Jr to lead Department of Health

France and Israel fans clash with police in Paris despite ramped up police presence following Amsterdam unrest

France and Israel fans clash amid ramped up police presence in Paris for UEFA Nations League game

c

'I hope I live to see the day': Ex-political prisoner Vladimir Kara-Murza shares wish to see Putin on trial for war crimes

M5 Motorway, Bristol, UK. 4th July, 2022. A rolling roadblock has been formed to protest the cost of fuel. Protestors have set off from Bridgewater and are holding up traffic by driving slowly along the M5 Motorway. Credit: JMF News/Alamy Live News

Teenager hit and killed in horror M5 collision after fleeing police car named

Exclusive
Putin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza recalls 'longest day of his life' after historic prisoner swap between Russia and West

Putin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza recalls 'longest day of his life' after historic prisoner swap between Russia and West

Mohamed Al Fayed's brother Salah accused of sexual assault and trafficking by former Harrods employees

Mohamed Al Fayed's brother Salah accused of sexual assault and trafficking by former Harrods employees

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Man who turned up outside Parliament in armour carrying samurai swords wanted to 'speak with Boris Johnson'

Basem Naim, a Hamas leader

Hamas prepared for 'immediate' ceasefire in Gaza but claims Israel has not offered any 'serious proposals' in months

London, UK. 9 October 2023. Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves speaking during the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool. Photo credit should read: Matt Crossick/Empics/Alamy Live News

Rachel Reeves to 'rip up financial red tape' with pension 'mega funds' freeing up £80 billion for investment

Labour divided over assisted dying as MP who introduced bill hits out at Health Secretary

Labour divided over assisted dying bill as MP tabling legislation labels Wes Streeting's objections 'disappointing'

Reverend Sue Colman was asked to step back after the Makin Report found her and her husband Jason knew about John Smyth's abuse and failed to act

Mustard heir and Church of England minister wife step back from church roles after damning abuse report

File photo of Broadway Market, where the attack took place

Horror as 'man doused in bleach' in busy Hackney market with manhunt underway and attacker still at loose

Former Met Police officer David Carrick pleads not guilty to string of sex attacks including indecent assault against teen

Former Met Police officer David Carrick pleads not guilty to sex attacks including indecent assault against teen