Real reason disgraced Prince Andrew is desperately clinging onto Royal Lodge, revealed by experts
PRINCE Andrew is desperately clinging onto Royal Lodge for one key reason, royal experts claim.
In this episode of the Sun’s Royal Exclusive, News.com.au’s Royal Reporter Bronte Coy was joined by Broadcaster and Royal Correspondent Sarah Hewson and ITV’s Royal Editor Chris Ship.
Scandal-hit Andrew, 64, received written notice earlier this year that he could no longer be financially reliant on his older brother, the King.
And it was recently revealed that the monarch has now reportedly removed Andrew’s £1 million-a-year spending allowance.
His Majesty has urged him to follow the late Queen’s plan and move out of the luxurious Royal Lodge and into nearby Frogmore Cottage, the former home of Prince Harry and Meghan.
But Prince Andrew claims to have raised the funds to remain at his £30million home at Royal Lodge in Windsor.
Speaking on the Royal Show on why the Duke of York is fighting so desperately to keep it, Sarah Hewson said: “It’s a big place, its a 30 bed mansion and it’s falling into disrepair.
“What does Andrew need all that space for?
“He’s adamant he’s got a cast iron lease until 2078 which will be beyond his lifetime but he clearly wants to hand it to his daughters.”
Chris Ship added: “A sibling is not going to be as forgiving as a mother would, such as the late Queen.
“I think Andrew was always going to have a difficult time when there was a change of reign.
“That is kind of playing out in front of us now.
“The King is probably thinking that reputationally Andrew is ‘damaged goods’, he’s not a working royal either so does he really need £1 million a year and a massive mansion.”
Recently, the 31-bed Royal Lodge appeared in disrepair with cracks and black mould over the exterior walls.
Shocking pictures of the property emerged days after it was revealed King Charles has cut off his brother’s £1million-a-year allowance.
Prince Andrew, 64, spent an estimated £7million on repairs when he took on the Royal Lodge lease in 2003 following the death of the Queen Mother.
But now crumbling paintwork can be seen on outbuildings and the gatehouse.
The outside walls are also mouldy and falling away amid Andrew’s continuing financial woes.
Disgraced Andrew was stripped of his roles by Queen Elizabeth II after forking out millions of pounds to settle Virginia Giuffre’s sex claims case.
He denies any wrongdoing.
The Sun on Sunday previously revealed Charles had laid off the Royal Lodge’s ten-strong security team.
It is understood Andrew will have to pay out of his own pocket for the upkeep of his property, including his security, the protection of works of art and furniture borrowed from the Royal Collection.
ARTHUR EDWARDS When Kate smiles it's like a clap of thunder - our beautiful Princess is on road to recovery, and we couldn’t be happier
YOU could have heard a pin drop as King Charles led Britain in two minutes of sombre remembrance today.
The Monarch appeared to have the troubles of the world on his shoulders as he lay a wreath on the Cenotaph.
Our King cares so deeply for the soldiers who laid down their lives for Britain.
And he would have been thinking about those he too has lost in recent years, his mother The Queen being one of them.
I too remembered those in my family who lost their lives in World War One.
My grandfather – my name sake who I never met – was only 36 when he sacrificed his life for our country.
He left five children behind, one of whom was my father. I think of him often.
But the star attraction was the Princess of Wales, and we were thrilled to see her.
Catherine – beautiful as always – looked really well as she shared the balcony with Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh.
She cut a sombre figure along with the rest of Britain, during the two minutes of silence to remember fearless heroes who laid down their lives.
But then… a smile. And it was like a clap of thunder through my camera. She is the star attraction.
It is a shame our lovely Queen Camilla wasn’t at her side. She would have loved to be there.
But she felt, of course, that she must stay in the warm, and recover from her chest infection. And a wreath was laid on her behalf.
As the ceremony progressed, we saw Catherine chatting away with Sophie – they are of course, great pals.
The two sung hymns together – with plenty of gusto at that. I’d love to hear Kate sing…
I – like all of us – want to see Catherine fit and well before she gets back to work.
And today showed our Princess well on the road to recovery. I’m looking forward to seeing much more of her in the future.