The divorced Duke and Duchess of York still live together at a Royal residence on the Berkshire estate, with extensive gardens and a royal chapel on site
While their marriage in 1986 and divorce ten years later were well publicised, what’s not always as well known is that Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson still reside together.
Their royal residence is a Grade II listed house in Windsor Great Park in Berkshire. Part of the Crown Estate, ‘Royal Lodge’ became their official country family residence in 2004. It was also the Windsor residence of the late Queen Elizabeth and The Queen Mother from 1952 until her passing in 2002 at 101 years old. The majestic dwelling, comprising three storeys, with two-storey wings, totals an impressive 30 rooms, including seven bedrooms.
The sprawling size of the property allows the couple to co-habit in separate wings, which they have done since 2008. The reportedly £30 million mansion also boasts a lesser spotted Royal Chapel within its 68 acres. ‘The Royal Chapel of All Saints’ is a Grade II listed church that sits within the grounds. The Chapel is known as a ‘Royal Peculiar’ (a Church of England parish or church exempt from the jurisdiction of the administration and the province in which it lies, and subject to the direct jurisdiction of the monarch).
Used as an informal parish church for staff and members of the royal family, the chapel was also the setting for the couple’s eldest daughter, Princess Beatrice’s (35) wedding to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in 2020, a private ceremony due to Covid restrictions. The Royal Lodge itself has a rich royal history, dating back to the mid-seventeenth century. Originally constructed as a modest farmhouse in 1662, it has undergone several transformations to turn it into the elegant royal residence it is today.
It’s been reported that the upkeep of Royal Lodge has already cost Andrew millions in renovations, requiring ‘several hundreds of thousands of pounds’ annually for ongoing maintenance. According to The Times, the Prince signed a 73-year lease with the Crown Estate in 2003, which stated he was responsible to “repair, renew, uphold, clean and keep in repair and where necessary rebuild” the property. However, in recent years the property is said to be ‘crumbling’, ravaged by dampness and showing visible signs of wear and tear.
This may be why King Charles has allegedly pressured his brother to vacate the property. Known as ‘the siege of Royal Lodge’ in the media, the alleged feud has raged for more than a year, with King Charles suggesting a move into the currently unoccupied Frogmore Cottage. The former home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the less decadent dwelling would cost a lot less to run.
