Prince Andrew’s Royal Lodge home is ‘crumbling’ & ‘needs extensive repairs’ – after he refused to leave 30-room mansion
PRINCE Andrew’s Royal Lodge home is “crumbling” and “needs extensive repairs” after he refused to leave the 30-room mansion.
The deteriorating home threatens to reignite the Duke of York’s row with the King and William after he struck a deal to stay.
New pictures show crumbling paintwork and cracks forming on the outside of the the 19th century, Grade II-listed property.
The disgraced Duke, 64, has reportedly already poured £7.5million into repairs but sources say he cannot continue to meet the £400,000 a year bill.
The Sun reported last year the home currently needs an estimated £2million in repairs with the duke reportedly paying £200,000 for roof repairs.
Very little work has been carried out on the property since Andrew spent £7million on repairs when he moved in after the 2002 death of the Queen Mother.
The royal, who no longer has official duties, shares the sprawling 30-room mansion in Windsor with just his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
Last year, Andrew and the King clashed when Charles was said to have wanted to kick his brother out of his home with courtiers saying Prince William and his family would eventually move into the vast property.
A source told the Mirror that Andrew had a clear responsibility for repairs after cutting the deal with his brother.
They said: “Prince Andrew was told he must take charge of the necessary renovations or he will have no cause to stay in the house.”
The source said the King was greatly concerned about the state of the home.
“There is no doubt the King will be alarmed at the true state of the residence after the duke assured him everything was in hand.”
Royal expert Ingrid Seward said: “The reason Charles has the problems with Andrew is because of Andrew’s inflated sense of self-importance, which is why he feels he should be living in a palace or somewhere similar.”
Andrew has lived in the Lodge for 20 years and signed a 75-year l;ease on it only paying £250 a week.
In January, sources told the Daily Mail: “Andrew is going nowhere. He has a cast iron lease.”
Charles has previously claimed Andrew should move to nearby Frogmore Cottage — Prince Harry and Meghan’s former home.
But the brothers came to an agreement last summer allowing Andrew to stay at the home.
Andrew was forced to step down from royal duties in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
He paid a reported £12million settlement to Virginia Guiffre, who accused him of sleeping with her while a teenager — which he denied.
Charles in good spirits as he’s spotted walking from church service just a day before his first Coronation anniversary
By Ethan Singh
KING Charles appeared in good spirits as he was spotted walking from a church service a day before his first Coronation anniversary.
The monarch looked in high spirits as he chatted to a vicar following a Sunday service in Gloucestershire.
Charles, who marks the first year of his and Camilla’s crowning tomorrow, looked sharp while dressed in a grey suit and a navy tie with red stripes.
The King’s trip to church has followed a busy week which marked his return to public engagements since he was diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of the year.
His Majesty chose to make his public comeback by visiting a cancer hospital.
The monarch and Queen Camilla, 76, visited the Macmillan Cancer Centre at University College Hospital in London where he met with staff treating and offering support to cancer patients.
