“What Does Charles Need Another House For?” King Urges Prince Andrew to Vacate Royal Lodge
King Charles is reportedly pressing his brother, Prince Andrew, to vacate the Royal Lodge, a 30-room mansion, to accommodate Queen Camilla. This move comes amidst ongoing tensions within the royal family, with Andrew adamantly refusing to leave the property he has called home for two decades.
Royal commentator Lady Hervey explained King Charles’s determination to relocate Andrew to Frogmore Cottage, the former residence of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Speaking to GBN America, Lady Hervey emphasized, “Charles kind of takes everything into his own hands and has new rules. Just like we’re seeing with the Duke of York’s situation with his house. That is his house. He has a lease on that house. They can’t just take it away.”
She further questioned the necessity, “What does Charles need another house for? He wants his house for Camilla. Now, how does Camilla need another house? They have Windsor Castle. Why have a house that the Yorks have lived in for 20 years? Why do they have to keep going?”
However, GBN host Nana Akua countered, “But they can, and they will. What does he need 30 bedrooms for?” This view reflects a broader consensus within the monarchy that Andrew’s diminished role no longer justifies such a large residence.
A royal source highlighted the practicality behind Charles’s insistence: “The King’s kindness is not without limit, and there is a very good option for Andrew to move into Frogmore Cottage, recently vacated by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, which also has the benefit of being within the Windsor Castle security cordon hence reducing the need for alternative round-the-clock security for Royal Lodge.”
Despite these arguments, Andrew remains defiant, citing his long-term lease on Royal Lodge, which extends until 2078. Friends of the Duke have described his stance as unwavering, with one telling The Times, “The facts remain the facts. He’s got a long lease on Royal Lodge, the family has lived there for 20-odd years and still has 50-odd years to run on the lease.”
King Charles, however, appears resolved to make life increasingly uncomfortable for his younger brother if he does not comply. Insiders suggest that the monarch may reconsider the financial support he provides to Andrew, which includes funding for private security. This move would add significant pressure on Andrew, whose finances have been under scrutiny since stepping down from public duties.
The tension over Royal Lodge is just one facet of a broader struggle within the royal family. Andrew, who has faced public and legal scrutiny over his association with Jeffrey Epstein, has been largely absent from public life. His last notable appearance was leading the family into a service for the late Greek King Constantine at Windsor Castle, which drew criticism.
Adding to the pressure is the recent depiction of Andrew in the media, including Netflix’s “Scoop,” which details his controversial Newsnight interview, and an upcoming Amazon series on his downfall, where he is portrayed by actor Michael Sheen. These portrayals continue to cast a shadow over his public image.
Despite these challenges, Andrew has shown no signs of relenting. A friend of the Duke indicated, “It can be done tidily or untidily. It can be done with grace and dignity, or it can be forced upon him. It’s all rather sad. But as things stand, life at Royal Lodge is set to become increasingly cold and uncomfortable for the duke.”
Further complicating the situation is Sarah Ferguson, Andrew’s ex-wife, who still resides at Royal Lodge and has recently been battling breast and skin cancer. The Duchess of York’s presence at the lodge has added another layer of complexity to the efforts to relocate Andrew.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson has declined to comment on the matter, maintaining the family’s public stance of silence. However, sources close to the royal family insist that while Prince Andrew remains welcome at family events, he will never return to public duty.