Prince Andrew, once a fixture of the British royal family’s inner circle, is once again at the center of public scrutiny after reportedly agreeing to leave his opulent Royal Lodge residence in Windsor. The move, which follows his recent decision to relinquish his Duke of York title, has sparked a fresh wave of intrigue and debate about the future of royal real estate, internal family dynamics, and the lingering shadow of scandal.
According to The Sun and corroborated by BBC News and Fox News Digital, Andrew, 65, has consented to vacate the 30-room Royal Lodge—a mansion he has called home since 2003 under a lease that was meant to last until 2078. However, this agreement comes with a set of demands: Andrew wants to move into Frogmore Cottage, the five-bedroom property once occupied by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, while his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, is proposed to relocate to Adelaide Cottage, which Prince William and Kate Middleton are preparing to leave as they move on to Forest Lodge with their children.
“Frogmore Cottage is too small for both, and Adelaide Cottage is around the corner, so they will see each other whenever they want,” a source told The Sun, highlighting the former couple’s continued closeness despite their 1996 divorce. Both cottages are nestled within the grounds of Windsor Castle, offering privacy, security, and proximity to the rest of the royal family.
The reported deal comes after Andrew’s dramatic fall from grace, prompted largely by his association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Earlier this month, Andrew relinquished his royal titles, stating, “The continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the royal family. I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.” The statement, published by WireImage and Fox News Digital, followed the publication of new excerpts from Virginia Roberts Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, in which she alleges she was trafficked by Epstein to have sex with Andrew when she was 17. Andrew has consistently denied the allegations.
The Royal Lodge, a sprawling estate valued at approximately $38 million, has been a point of contention not only because of Andrew’s long-term lease but also due to revelations about the financial arrangements underpinning his residency. As BBC News reported, Andrew has paid only a token annual rent—sometimes described as a “peppercorn” sum—having instead made large upfront payments for renovations and lease rights. These arrangements have fueled public debate, with the Liberal Democrats calling for Andrew to appear before MPs to explain the lease, though the government declined to allocate time for such a debate.
Despite the lease’s intended duration, the pressure for Andrew to downsize has been mounting for years, particularly from King Charles III, who, according to royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams, has “long wanted his younger brother to downsize.” The king himself is currently undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, adding another layer of complexity to the family’s internal negotiations.
Andrew’s demands in exchange for vacating Royal Lodge extend beyond just new accommodations. According to royal expert Ian Pelham Turner, “Prince Andrew wants an undisclosed compensation from King Charles for all the renovation costs at Royal Lodge, which is said to be in the millions. He also wants respect and support for his two daughters, allowing them to continue their royal work and charity patronages. He wants a financial settlement, too, for Sarah Ferguson, who also contributed towards the renovations at Royal Lodge. I would also imagine he wants to continue his own [personal] business activities without any further interference or involvement with the royal family.”
Negotiations over the exact terms of Andrew’s exit—and the rents or compensation involved—are said to be ongoing. “No one is really sure how it’s going to go down at the palace yet,” a friend of the former Yorks told The Sun. Another source close to the proceedings told People magazine, “Talks are still ongoing.”
If the deal is finalized, Andrew would move into Frogmore Cottage, a Grade-II listed property originally built in 1792 as a retreat for Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III. The cottage has a storied history, having housed royal staff, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and even relatives of Tsar Nicholas II. Its secluded location within Windsor’s security perimeter makes it an attractive option for a royal seeking privacy. Adelaide Cottage, meanwhile, was built in 1831 for Queen Adelaide and has played host to figures such as Group Captain Peter Townsend, remembered for his relationship with Princess Margaret.
For Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, the proximity of the two cottages would allow them to maintain their close relationship while living separately—a dynamic that has persisted since their divorce but has often raised eyebrows. Both properties are described as “modest” by royal standards, representing a significant downsizing from the grandeur of Royal Lodge.
Other possible residences have been floated, including Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate, the Balmoral estate in Scotland, and even the Castle of Mey in Caithness. There are also rumors, reported by BBC News, that Andrew and Ferguson have been offered a luxurious palace in Abu Dhabi by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, or might consider options in Bahrain, reflecting Andrew’s longstanding connections in the Middle East.
The financial underpinnings of Andrew’s royal lifestyle have come under renewed scrutiny in light of the ongoing scandals. The Times U.K. revealed that Andrew paid £1 million for his lease and at least £7.5 million for refurbishments, with the crown estate potentially owing him a “compensatory sum” should he leave early. There are also allegations, reported by Fox News Digital, that King Charles was the secret source who paid Andrew’s rent, though Buckingham Palace has not commented on these claims.
The controversy is unlikely to fade soon. As royal expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital, “He is totally oblivious to reality and has a ghastly, entitled attitude. He doesn’t care about the longevity of the monarchy, or he wouldn’t have put it in jeopardy in the first place.” Such criticisms echo the broader public sentiment that the royal family must balance tradition, accountability, and the evolving expectations of modern Britain.
Meanwhile, the publication of Virginia Giuffre’s memoir, Nobody’s Girl, has reignited debate over Andrew’s past and the royal family’s handling of scandal. The prince continues to deny all allegations, but the pressure on Buckingham Palace and the government to take further action—possibly stripping Andrew of his titles and privileges—remains intense.
As negotiations continue behind palace doors, the fate of Prince Andrew, his living arrangements, and his role within the royal family hang in the balance. The outcome will likely set a precedent for how the monarchy navigates scandal, family disputes, and the stewardship of its vast real estate holdings in an era of unprecedented scrutiny.
