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King Charles is reportedly making efforts to remove Prince Andrew from the Royal Lodge, the opulent 30-room mansion in Windsor where Andrew has resided for over twenty years with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson. This move is part of Charles’s broader strategy to streamline the royal estate and reduce costs.
Royal expert Robert Jobson shared insights with the Scottish Daily Express, emphasizing that despite the grandeur of the Royal Lodge, it currently accommodates only Andrew and Ferguson. “The reality is, it sounds little, doesn’t it? The ‘Royal Lodge’. But it’s a palatial place with masses of bedrooms; there’s only Andrew and Fergie that live there,” Jobson said.
He further explained, “So there’s no real need for Andrew, he’s not a working royal anymore, to have this place. Charles has been trying to get him out for some time.” Jobson noted that the state of the property has become a significant issue, as Andrew has not been maintaining the mansion, leading to tensions between him and his brother, Charles.
In a bid to address the situation, Charles has already taken decisive measures by cutting Andrew’s 10-person security detail, a move that has saved the royal family £3 million. Andrew, who holds a 75-year lease on the Royal Lodge, now faces mounting pressure to demonstrate that he can afford the necessary repairs and upkeep of the property. His current situation has left him in a challenging position, as the cost of maintaining the mansion continues to rise.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that if Andrew is forced to vacate the Royal Lodge, the property might be offered to other members of the royal family. Potential occupants could include the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh or even Queen Camilla, providing a more fitting use for the grand residence.
This development underscores the ongoing dynamics within the royal family as they navigate issues of property management, public perception, and the allocation of royal resources.
