Prince Andrew has been at loggerheads with his older brother King Charles for years over his future at the 30-room mansion in Windsor
Prince Andrew has been embroiled in a “rumbling dispute” with King Charles over his residence at Royal Lodge, with reports suggesting he’s been given a three-year warning about his future there. The Duke of York, who has been at odds with his brother over staying in his 30-room mansion, may have to downsize to Frogmore Cottage as per the King’s wishes.
Last year, in an effort to encourage Andrew to move, King Charles cut off his £1 million annual allowance and reduced security funding for his Windsor home. Despite this, Andrew managed to secure private funds and dip into his own reserves to stay put. Andrew, who took on a 75-year lease from the Crown Estate in 2003, is responsible for the property’s maintenance costs. He’s reportedly spent around £7.5 million on refurbishments since acquiring the lease.
According to the Daily Mail’s Ephraim Hardcastle column, there’s ongoing tension over who should foot the bill for significant external repairs to the mansion.
The column notes: “It appears that Andrew, who paid upwards of £7.5 million on renovations when given a 75-year lease in 2003, has maintained the interior, but there is a rumbling dispute about who is responsible for extensive external repairs to the 30-room mansion.
“Andrew should be safe until 2028. He is entitled to a partial rebate on his outgoings if given the order of the boot at the end of his first 25 years of his lease.”
According to the Scottish Daily Express, it’s estimated that Andrew needs around £5 million annually to cover the repair costs at Royal Lodge. Despite his determination to stay in the property, which he shares with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, it’s believed that maintaining it would require “a substantial financial commitment each year.”
Robin Edwards from Curetons, a property buying agent, thinks the cost of upkeep has “grown significantly since then with time and inflation.” Recent snaps of the property reveal “crumbling stonework and peeling paint.”
Robin said: “Staffing alone would be a significant expense, as the estate would likely employ a house manager, housekeepers, butlers, chefs, and maintenance workers, easily costing between £350,000 and £500,000 annually.
“In addition, the gardens would demand constant attention from a dedicated team of around four to six full-time gardeners, adding another £150,000 to £250,000 to the yearly budget.”
He also mentioned that upkeep and maintenance would be “costly”, with general maintenance and repairs alone costing between £200,000 and £300,000 per year.
Robin added: “Utility bills, including heating, electricity, and water for a mansion of this size, could easily exceed £200,000 annually. Gardening and landscaping would require meticulous care, with formal gardens, lawns, pathways, and trees needing constant upkeep—costing between £100,000 and £200,000 annually.
“Insurance and taxes would also take a hefty slice, with the building itself, contents, and public liability insurance adding around £50,000 to £100,000 per year. Additionally, conservation and restoration efforts to maintain strict heritage rules and standards could add another £100,000 to £200,000 per year.”
Andrew stepped back from his royal duties following a disastrous Newsnight interview in 2019, during which he faced questioning over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He subsequently had his military titles and patronages removed.
