Prince Andrew is facing growing pressure after the king cut off his financial support and the Royal Lodge’s rapid deterioration.
Royal Lodge mansion seen from above. Photo: W8Media
Set on 98 acres, Royal Lodge – Prince Andrew’s current residence – is one of the most impressive structures in Windsor Great Park, with 30 bedrooms, a swimming pool, gardens and extensive parking. The walls here witnessed the childhood of the late Queen Elizabeth II. After King George VI’s death, the Queen’s mother continued to live here until 2002.
Cracks, peeling paint and spreading black fungus are visible to the naked eye, damaging the historic walls of the mansion recently.
A peeling, moldy corner of the wall at Royal Lodge. Photo: W8Media
Prince Andrew moved into Royal Lodge in 2004. He signed a 75-year lease on the property in 2003, paying $1.3 million upfront and agreeing to a nominal rent of about $336,000 a year. Annual maintenance costs for the property are about $520,000, while major repairs are estimated to cost more than $2.6 million. Since moving in, the duke has spent nearly $9 million on renovations.
But with the cost of repairs now prohibitive, Andrew’s future in the house is increasingly uncertain. The lease comes with a heavy responsibility, with strict requirements for “repair, renovation, maintenance, cleaning and preservation” of the house. The interior must be redecorated every seven years and the exterior repainted every five.
Sources say Andrew is behind on his obligations.
The side entrance of the Royal Lodge mansion is almost abandoned. Photo: W8Media
Earlier this month, British media reported that King Charles III had cut off his brother’s annual personal financial allowance – reportedly around $1.3 million – which had helped the Duke of York cover the burden of running his $38 million mansion.
The paint on the roof of the royal residence has not been renewed for many years. Photo: W8Media
The abrupt cut in the monarch’s allowance came after he stopped funding Andrew’s security detail, leaving the Duke of York to pay for all the costs himself.
All the privileges granted to the late Queen Elizabeth II ‘s second son were revoked in the wake of his relationship with billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. During his relationship with Epstein, Andrew was accused of multiple sexual encounters with minors. The sex scandal has left the 64-year-old prince no longer seen in public and increasingly isolated within the royal family.
Prince Andrew is the younger brother of King Charles III. Photo: UK Press
Over the past few months, King Charles III has reportedly been encouraging his brother to move to Frogmore Cottage, the more modest home once owned by Harry and Meghan . But Andrew has repeatedly refused, steadfastly refusing to leave Royal Lodge.