Prince Andrew has reportedly made clear that he will leave Royal Lodge only if he and Sarah Ferguson are each given separate homes within the Windsor estate. The request, reported by several outlets including The Times, People, and The Guardian, comes amid continuing talks about the Duke of York’s long lease on the 30-room property in Windsor Great Park.
Royal Lodge, Andrew’s home since 2003, has been under increasing scrutiny in recent years. The Duke secured a long-term lease from the Crown Estate and is said to pay a nominal rent in return for covering the cost of maintenance and renovations. The arrangement, while legally valid, has become a point of public debate given Andrew’s reduced royal role and ongoing questions about the cost of royal residences.
Prince Andrew – Instagram
According to multiple reports, the Duke has suggested that he and his ex-wife, who continues to live with him at Royal Lodge, would each move to a different Windsor property. The two homes mentioned in the coverage are Frogmore Cottage, formerly occupied by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and Adelaide Cottage, currently the residence of the Prince and Princess of Wales. Palace officials have not confirmed the discussions or the specific properties involved.
Prince Andrew – Instagram
Negotiations over Royal Lodge have been ongoing since early 2023, when it was first reported that King Charles wanted to streamline the use of royal residences and reduce associated costs. The issue has been complicated by the Duke’s lease, which runs until 2078, giving him considerable legal standing to remain in the house.
People close to the discussions, quoted by UK media, say the goal is to find a practical solution that respects the lease while addressing the public criticism surrounding it. Any relocation would require coordination between the Crown Estate, the Royal Household, and security teams responsible for royal properties in Windsor.
Prince Andrew – Instagram
Officials are said to be cautious about setting a precedent for royal property negotiations. The Duke’s request for two homes, one for himself and one for Ferguson, adds another layer to an already delicate discussion about fairness, funding, and the balance between personal and institutional responsibility.
For now, there has been no official response from Buckingham Palace or the Crown Estate. The Duke remains at Royal Lodge, and no timeline for a move has been confirmed. What is clear is that the question of who lives where within the Windsor estate remains a live issue. It is a subject that blends family, finance, and the future image of the modern monarchy.
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