Real reason Prince Andrew is desperately clinging onto Royal Lodge. Picture: Supplied; Steve Parsons – WPA Pool/Getty Images
Prince Andrew is reportedly clinging onto his home at Royal Lodge for one key reason.
For months, King Charles has apparently urged his scandal-hit brother to relocate to Frogmore Cottage, a smaller, more modest home recently vacated by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Despite the monarch cutting off his £1 million ($A2 million) yearly allowance, Andrew claims to have raised the funds to remain at his £30 million ($A57 million) residence.
During an episode of The Sun’s Royal Exclusive, Royal Correspondent Sarah Hewson and ITV’s Royal Editor Chris Ship told the program on why the disgraced Duke of York was fighting desperately to keep the 30-room mansion.
“It’s a big place, it’s a 30 bed mansion and it’s falling into disrepair,” Ms Hewson said.
“What does Andrew need all that space for?
“He’s adamant he’s got a cast iron lease until 2078 which will be beyond his lifetime but he clearly wants to hand it to his daughters.”
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Charles has reportedly removed his brother’s £1 million-a-year budget. Picture: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
The Duke of York’s Royal Lodge.
Mr Ship added: “A sibling is not going to be as forgiving as a mother would, such as the late Queen.
“I think Andrew was always going to have a difficult time when there was a change of reign.
“That is kind of playing out in front of us now.
“The King is probably thinking that reputationally Andrew is ‘damaged goods’, he’s not a working royal either so does he really need £1 million a year and a massive mansion.”
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It’s claimed Andrew wants to hand Royal Lodge to his daughters Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Last week, it was reported Royal Lodge was in despair with cracks and black mould over the exterior walls.
News of the property emerged days after Charles cut his brother’s annual personal allowance.
Andrew spent an estimated £7 million ($A13.6 million) on repairs when he took on the Royal Lodge lease in 2003 following the death of the Queen Mother.
But now crumbling paintwork can be seen on outbuildings and the gatehouse.
The outside walls are also mouldy and falling away amid Andrew’s continuing financial woes.
Andrew was stripped of his roles by Queen Elizabeth II after forking out millions of pounds to settle Virginia Giuffre’s sex claims case. He denies any wrongdoing.
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Recently, Royal Lodge appeared in disrepair with cracks and black mould over the exterior walls.
Back in August, Charles laid off the Royal Lodge’s private security team.
It is understood Andrew will have to pay out of his own pocket for the upkeep of his property, including his security, the protection of works of art and furniture borrowed from the Royal Collection.
Parts of this story first appeared in The Sun and were republished with permission.
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