Prince Andrew’s massive 30-room Royal Lodge estate in Windsor Great Park is falling into disrepair, according to an insider. When King Charles agreed that Andrew could continue living in the Royal residence last year, it was on the condition that he took care of its upkeep.
However, the insider alleges that the property is starting to look like the dilapidated mansion of wealthy recluse Miss Havisham from Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations. “Your immediate impression walking in, it is like Miss Havisham’s house, unloved. It is also freezing in there,” an insider revealed to The Express.
The source continued: “There is less staff about and simple household jobs like opening windows, letting in a bit of air, are rarely done.” They added that, “like all houses of that age, it needs ventilation,” but they say this “just aggravates the damp and causes mould.”
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Andrew has been residing in the 30-room mansion since 2004, which was left to him when the Queen Mother passed away in 2002. While Andrew doesn’t own the building, his name appears on the lease with the “landlord” being the Crown Estate, reports the Express US.
The source continued: “Sometimes the electricity is cut off so they can attend to damp patches on the walls. But it is only cosmetic repair, just as you finish one bit another one needs doing, the whole place needs treating.” The source mentioned that the estate was flagged as needing damp proofing after a recent report was conducted about flood risk.
According to sources, the estate, surrounded by forests and parkland, retains flood water easily, leading to damp and mouldy conditions. Apparently, the conditions are so appalling that younger royals reportedly hesitate to visit with their children because they view it as a health risk, says an insider.
Speaking to the Daily Express US, author Andrew Lownie, who is penning a biography on Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s marriage, reveals that the Duke of York is tapping into his trust income to maintain the mansion’s upkeep. He notes: “Andrew has trust income so he could repair, and it appears he is doing so.”
It has been speculated that King Charles would prefer if his younger brother Andrew moved out, making way for Prince William and Kate. The pair, who have three small children, could soon be needing more spacious living quarters than their Adelaide Cottage in Windsor.
This May, the Express disclosed that Prince Andrew spent a hefty ÂŁ20,000 ($25,825) just for an exterior paint job after scaffolding was sighted on the property. Despite not having a formal income, reputedly, the Duke of York is dedicated to preserving the house which has already burnt through millions in renovations and upkeep.
A source told The Express, “If Andrew were to lose Royal Lodge that would be it for him,” adding, “He’s determined to keep hold of it at any length. He’s currently having some work done and is trying to keep within the terms of his lease. There are exterior paintwork and repairs to walls and windows going on at the moment. There will also be work done internally within the coming months.”
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