Prince Andrew is adamant that his brother, King Charles, is trying to force him out of his long-time residence, Royal Lodge, with the goal of giving the property to the Queen. This claim has sparked fresh controversy, as Andrew continues to live in the 30-room home near Windsor Castle, rent-free, despite growing pressure for him to downsize to a more modest property. He insists that his lease on Royal Lodge is rock-solid, legally preventing his eviction.
The drama surrounding Andrew’s living arrangements comes in the wake of his public disgrace due to his connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his alleged ties to Chinese spies. These controversies led to the Prince relinquishing his Duke of York title, and now, he may face further scrutiny, including a potential parliamentary inquiry into his residency at Royal Lodge.
On Thursday, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chairman of the Commons Public Accounts Committee, revealed that he would be writing to the Treasury and the Crown Estate Commissioners to seek clarification on the lease terms of Royal Lodge. The committee will use the responses to determine whether the matter warrants further investigation.
Reports of King Charles wanting Andrew to vacate Royal Lodge have circulated for some time, but the issue has gained renewed attention after it was revealed that Andrew does not pay rent. Family friends of the Prince have suggested that he believes the King has an ulterior motive in wanting him to leave the residence, claiming that the King intends for Royal Lodge to become the Queen’s base in Windsor. This theory is fueled by the fact that, in the past, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, lived in Royal Lodge after she became a widow, having moved out of Windsor Castle.
However, King Charles’ aides have categorically denied these claims, insisting that the monarch’s intentions are not as the Prince imagines. Despite the denials, the idea has taken root in Andrew’s mind, fueled by conversations with his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who also believe that the King wants the property for the Queen.
The reality, however, is quite different. While the Queen has made it clear that she is much less inclined to want to live alone in the large, historic property, she still owns Ray Mill House in Wiltshire, a Grade II-listed family home purchased with the divorce settlement from her first husband, Andrew Parker Bowles. This smaller residence is where the Queen reportedly feels most at home and is more suited to her needs.
While the dispute over Royal Lodge remains unresolved, it highlights the deeper tensions within the royal family. Prince Andrew’s position is increasingly precarious, and the monarchy’s internal dynamics continue to evolve as King Charles seeks to assert his authority in the wake of the Queen’s passing. How this situation will unfold remains uncertain, but it is clear that the future of Royal Lodge and Prince Andrew’s place within the royal family are far from settled. The pressure is mounting, and the world watches as the royal family navigates yet another crisis.
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