Inside Prince Andrew’s ‘crumbling’ house as he faces eviction
Following the Duke of York’s ‘stay of execution’ at his Windsor home being granted last year, new photos appear to show his home crumbling.
Prince Andrew, 63, has been fighting to stay at his 30-room Royal Lodge mansion – which requires £400,000 per year to upkeep the sprawling 19th century, Grade II listed property.
King Charles previously demanded Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah move out of the 90 acre property into somewhere smaller, such as Frogmore Cottage.
Even as Andrew has been allowed to stay in the home if he keeps up with repairs, damp issues and wear and tear have proven the upkeep is a lot.
Worsening cracks in the brickwork, plaster falling off and other issues appear in newly released photos today.
His annual allowance – believed to be around £250,000 – was stopped after the Jeffrey Epstein scandal forced him to step back from public duties.
One family friend said last year: ‘It’s all a bit cloud cuckoo-land, I’m afraid.
‘No one, not least His Majesty, believes there is any realistic, long-term chance of the Duke of York being able to keep the roof at Royal Lodge over his head.’
The King is unable to simply kick Andrew out of the property, as he took it over from the Crown Estate in 2004 on a long-term lease.
He has since spent millions of pounds on renovations – if Andrew was persuaded to move, the Crown Estate could end up owing him money.
An insider said: ‘The Duke is clearly not going without a fight. This will all probably end in tears, most likely his.’
It has long been rumoured that the Prince and Princess of Wales, who are currently living in four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage in Windsor with their three children, might move in.
But it is believed that the Crown Estate wouldn’t rule out renting the Royal Lodge commercially either in order to get the best return.
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