“I Tend Not to Get Involved” Prince Andrew Faces Pressure to Vacate Royal Lodge Amid Feud with King Charles

Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, is reportedly considering passing the lease of his Royal Lodge mansion to his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, or his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. This decision comes as he battles to remain in his “crumbling” home amid pressure from King Charles III to vacate the property. The Duke, who signed a 75-year lease on the royal residence in 2003, has been living with his ex-spouse, Fergie, in the 30-room mansion since their divorce in 1996.

According to royal sources, an official reunion between Andrew and Fergie might assist the Duke in his long-running battle to stay at Royal Lodge. Under the terms of the lease, Andrew can bequeath the leasehold to an “acceptable trustee” or an “immediate family member.” However, not only is he divorced, but the mansion is also in urgent need of renovation, with an estimated £2 million worth of repairs required, including new paint jobs and repairs to the crumbling roof.

“The issue with Royal Lodge is it is going to cost an awful lot of money to renovate, and no one is any wiser as to how the Duke will be able to meet those expenses,” an insider said. “It’s very difficult to see why Beatrice or Eugenie would want the burden of taking on the lease when they would be far better investing any money they have where they would possibly get a return.”

The King believes his brother has no way of paying for the necessary repairs, and royal sources suggest that Andrew could hand the lease to his daughters or a trust set up in their names. However, friends of Fergie, who recently revealed she is “not out of the woods yet” with her ongoing skin cancer battle, suggest that any money she has is “tied up” after purchasing a £5 million townhouse in Mayfair last year.

Sarah Ferguson has all but confirmed the ongoing feud over the Royal Lodge between her ex-spouse and King Charles III. According to royal and showbiz expert Mark Boardman of MarkMeets.com, “Fergie is known to be a steadfast supporter of Andrew. She would likely share his sentiments, feeling upset and concerned about the impact this move has on their family.”

In a recent interview with Good Morning Britain, Fergie pointedly told host Martin Lewis, “I tend not to get involved in brothers’ discussions and I think that’s the safest place to be. Let the brothers discuss it between themselves.” When pressed about her current living situation, she replied, “It’s not a Debbie Downer […] I’m a guest, for a start. I’m a very lucky guest and a very comfortable guest.”

The snappy exchange comes amid recent revelations in the ongoing rift over the opulent property, which is said to have started shortly after Charles III acceded to the throne in September 2022. The monarch has reportedly “been stunned” by his younger brother’s “refusal” to leave and rejection of his royal commands.

Royal expert Stephanie Takyi described the situation as “Brothers at War,” noting that “Charles and Andrew haven’t had the closest of relationships.” She added, “According to the papers today, Charles is trying to evict Andrew from the Royal Lodge, where he’s lived since 2004, and he’s trying to get him to move into Frogmore Cottage, where Harry and Meghan previously were.”

As the battle over Royal Lodge continues, scaffolding has been seen erected at the front of the property as the Duke scrambles to show he is making the necessary improvements. Andrew’s finances have been shrouded in mystery for years, particularly after he was forced to pay £12 million in an out-of-court settlement to Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual assault.

While Fergie has voiced her concerns over what the eviction means for her future as a resident of Royal Lodge, Boardman suggests that “this is an opportunity for her family to start fresh and move on from their past controversies.” As the royal rift between the brothers deepens, the fate of Royal Lodge and its current occupants remains uncertain.