Prince Andrew could be celebrating his final birthday in Royal Lodge today as a property expert suggested he could come under increasing pressure to meet the costs to pay for the upkeep
Prince Andrew is celebrating his 65th birthday today (Wednesday, February 19), and it might just be his final one at the Royal Lodge according to a property expert. The Duke of York is locked in a battle with his brother King Charles who want him to vacate the property.
Andrew is under increasing pressure to sort out repairs at the residence he leased for 75 years in 2003. Under the strict terms of the lease with the Crown Estate, he’s obliged to maintain the property and foot the bill for any damages. Since King Charles cut off his £1million yearly allowance last year, meeting these costs has likely become a struggle.
Terry Fisher from We Buy Any Home has weighed in on the potential fallout if Andrew fails to make the necessary fixes. He said: “While it’s unlikely that he’ll be forced out immediately, the pressure is certainly mounting. If he doesn’t carry out the necessary renovations, his position at Royal Lodge could become increasingly unstable over the next year.
“Whether he faces legal challenges over the lease, or is gradually edged out due to financial or royal pressures, there’s a real possibility that this could be his last birthday at the property.”
Reports suggest the Duke might be staring down a £1million bill for urgent repairs after a recent inspection revealed his 19th-century Grade II listed home is falling apart, reports the Express.
Prince Andrew’s £1million yearly allowance was cut off by King Charles last year (
Image:
Getty Images)
He further stated: “Beyond the legal implications, there’s also the wider royal context – King Charles has reportedly been pressuring him to step away from the Lodge, and continued financial strain could make maintaining the estate increasingly difficult.
“If he doesn’t take decisive action to fund and complete these urgent repairs, he may find himself left with little choice but to vacate the property within the next year.”
As for King Charles, while he may have had the authority to strip Andrew’s pay, Terry says he may not be able to overrule the lease of the property. “King Charles may be unable to overrule the lease outright, but he could apply pressure through legal or financial channels to ensure the necessary work is done,” he added. For now, Prince Andrew remains at the property with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who he divorced after 10 years of marriage in 1996.
A royal expert recently hinted at the ‘real’ reason Andrew wants to stay at Royal Lodge. Royal expert Bronte Coy however believes Andrew and Sarah should consider moving to the four-bedroom Frogmore Cottage, but reckons there is one thing stopping the couple from moving.
Speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive podcast, she said: “It is the case that it’s a 30-room building and they don’t need it. I think it is just a case of pride and he doesn’t want to be kicked out.”
