Amid looming property renovation, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, remains adamant about not vacating his Windsor mansion, sparking tension with the King, his brother. This concern stems from the Duke's anxiety that he might be displaced permanently, potentially for the Prince and Princess of Wales and their family.
The 63-year-old Duke's conviction to retain his dwelling at the Royal Lodge is rooted in a 75-year lease he signed in 2003, securing his place in the 30-room royal residence. Yet, the Duke's resolve has been strained since the King discontinued the £250,000 annual subsidy that Andrew previously received from the late Queen earlier this year.
Amidst this predicament, the Duke was instructed to relocate to Frogmore Cottage, the erstwhile residence of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who handed over the keys following the release of Harry's controversial memoir, "Spare". However, friends close to Prince Andrew, who withdrew from his royal duties following a contentious sex abuse scandal-which he fervently denied-revealed that he is unyieldingly "refusing to budge" from the Royal Lodge.
Recently, Prince Andrew and his younger brother, Edward, were seen engaging in jovial camaraderie while horse riding in Windsor Great Park. Despite their informal appearance with rolled-up sleeves and shared laughter with two other companions, the tension beneath the surface was palpable. It's worth noting that this sibling bond has been on public display on several occasions in recent weeks.
Furthermore, the Trooping the Colour celebration slated for Saturday has stirred speculations about the Duke's participation, considering his exclusion from last year's festivities commemorating the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
A source close to Prince Andrew stated, "As far as he (Andrew) is concerned, he isn't moving... He can not be any clearer. He's not going to leave and move into another property, he has a lease, he's spent millions on doing the place up and doesn't want to move." This affirmation comes with the Duke's assertion that his contractual obligations are with the royal estate, not the monarch.
Moreover, Prince Andrew has reportedly spent millions from his personal fortune for the Royal Lodge's maintenance, including a significant £7.5 million for renovation.
While it has been speculated that the Prince and Princess of Wales might consider moving into the Royal Lodge from their current residence, Adelaide Cottage, others suggest a potential commercial lease for the property to ensure a lucrative return.
As urgent roofing repair works are set to begin this summer at the Royal Lodge, Prince Andrew was advised to consider living elsewhere during this period. Despite these suggestions, the Duke has chosen to remain in place for the duration of the repairs, possibly taking several months, driven by his apprehension of eviction.
Despite the ongoing dispute, sources close to the King have assured that the monarch "will not leave his brother homeless or penniless." Yet, these assurances have done little to defuse the conflict.
