Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson's residence at Royal Lodge is reportedly secure for the time being, despite reports that King Charles III has requested their departure. The delay comes as Ferguson, popularly known as Fergie, undergoes treatment for breast cancer.
Page Six reports that plans for the Duke and Duchess of York to vacate Royal Lodge have been temporarily paused as Fergie tackles her health issues. Diagnosed with breast cancer during a routine mammogram screening in early May, Fergie has since had a single mastectomy and is currently recovering at home, with her family providing support.
The extent of additional treatments required is yet to be clarified. A close acquaintance of the 63-year-old Duchess disclosed to the publication that Fergie is receiving significant support from her daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, as well as from Andrew. However, this unnamed source refuted claims that Princess Eugenie has essentially relocated to Royal Lodge to care for her mother, emphasizing that the princess has a newborn baby to tend to.
Prince Andrew and Ferguson have resided together in the expansive Royal Lodge near Windsor Castle since 2003, despite divorcing in 1996. However, in March, King Charles III reportedly suggested that his younger brother should move to Frogmore Cottage, previously inhabited by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
This proposition was purportedly prompted by the King's concern over the Duke of York's financial ability to maintain the 30-room property, given his multi-million-dollar settlement with his accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre in March 2022. His financial situation has been further strained since he withdrew from public life as a working royal in 2019.
Royal Lodge, which belongs to the Crown Estate, and its accompanying rent and maintenance costs are reportedly beyond Prince Andrew's means. King Charles III has reportedly been footing the bill for his brother's personal security, given Royal Lodge's lack of inclusion within Windsor Castle's secure zone, unlike Frogmore Cottage.
King Charles III reportedly finds it more economically feasible for Prince Andrew and Fergie to inhabit the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's former abode due to its reduced size and maintenance costs, thus curbing the King's security expenditure for his brother.
However, Prince Andrew has reportedly declined to vacate Royal Lodge during its refurbishment phase. Insiders have contradicted rumors that the King is actively evicting the divorced couple from their residence.
Regarding Fergie's health, she recently underwent an 8-hour operation at London's King Edward VII's hospital, which included a single mastectomy and subsequent reconstructive surgery. Following the successful surgery, she was monitored in the Intensive Care Unit for four days due to her extended period under general anesthesia.
In a recent episode of her podcast, "Tea Talks," Fergie disclosed her breast cancer diagnosis and expressed her gratitude for the public's prayers and well wishes on her Instagram account. At the time of the podcast's airing, she was recuperating from her surgery at Royal Lodge.
