Is Prince Andrew being ‘evicted’?
Reports say the disgraced prince is in talks about vacating Royal Lodge. We explain what's happening
The pressure is not letting up on Prince Andrew and on Friday, it was reported the disgraced prince is in talks to leave his home, Royal Lodge. After questions were asked in Parliament, The Telegraph revealed the King’s team is in talks with his brother about voluntarily vacating his 30-room home in Windsor. Andrew can’t be forcibly evicted, due to his legal lease agreement.
It’s understood Andrew is resisting, not least because he has 50 years left on his lease, but also over where he will go and compensation. But there’s a growing sense it’s inevitable that he will have to leave, in the end.
Here’s everything you need to know about the issue:
Where does Andrew live? Prince Andrew lives in Royal Lodge, on the Windsor estate, a 30-room house which was formerly the home of the Queen Mother. Ex-wife Sarah also lives there. In 2003, Andrew paid £1m for a 75-year lease on the property and as part of the agreement, spent more than £7.5m renovating it.
What’s the controversy? Andrew pays a “peppercorn rent”, in other words, nothing, and some MPs disagree with this. This week, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chairman of the Commons public accounts committee, said he will seek answers from the Treasury and Crown Estate, “to examine the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of public spending, and ensure the taxpayer is receiving best value for money”. However, Andrew’s camp say it’s unlikely Royal Lodge could be rented out, because it’s too close to Windsor Castle.
Is it tax-payer funded? Kind of… It’s part of the Crown Estate, which is ‘owned’ by the monarch whilst reigning, but the profits go to the Treasury. They then pay part of the income back to the Royal Family, as a “Sovereign Grant”, for their expenses and upkeep of property. Prince Edward has a similar agreement for his house, Bagshot Park, also in Windsor, where, since 2007, he also pays a peppercorn rent after paying £5m to secure a new lease.
Does Andrew get paid by the Sovereign Grant? No, since 2019, he receives no money from the Sovereign Grant and as of last year, the King also cut off his allowance and any money paid for security.
Does Charles want him out? Yes. Charles hoped by forcing Andrew to drop his title and other honours, it would put an end to negative sentiment, but the issue of the rent-free house continues to rankle and as The Telegraph reports, “Buckingham Palace will be keen to avoid a long, drawn-out parliamentary inquiry into any matter that touches on royal finances.” However, there’s a slight problem, because if Andrew does leave, he’s legally entitled to a refund of around half a million pounds. Who would pay that? Probably the King, as the Crown Estate/Treasury is unlikely to want to use public money this way.
Where will he go? That’s the question. The King could offer one of his personal properties in Sandringham or Balmoral, but it’s thought Andrew wants to stay in Windsor, in which case, he could move to a smaller property, where he would have to pay rent to the Crown Estate. He had already been offered Harry and Meghan’s Frogmore, but turned it down, but could be offered Adelaide Cottage, after William and Kate move out. Andrew’s camp say they think the King wants Royal Lodge for Camilla, when she’s a widow, but Buckingham Palace denies this.
The King prays with the Pope…
In his continued quest for unity and peace, Charles made a special visit to The Holy See this week, in which he prayed with Pope Leo XIV. In doing so, he was the first monarch to publicly pray with the Pope since the English Reformation in the 16th century. “It has been a particularly special visit to The Holy See, joining Pope Leo XIV to celebrate the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year,” Buckingham Palace posted. “For the first time in many centuries, the Pope and The King prayed together in a unique ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel, and His Majesty, accompanied by The Queen, attended a further ecumenical service in the Basilica of St Paul’s Outside the Walls.” Camilla looked splendid in her all-black ensemble, of Fiona Clare dress and marvellous Philip Treacy mantilla.
…And welcomes President Zelensky
Then it was back to Windsor, where Charles welcomed the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday. He was given a Royal Salute at Windsor Castle, before inspecting the Guard and then attending a meeting with PM Keir Starmer. The King clearly gets on well with the Ukranian leader, as he was seen at one point, putting his arm around him and patting him as he guided him inside, for a private meeting.
The Queen’s birthplace gets namesake restaurant
An upmarket eatery has opened on the site of the late Queen’s birthplace in Mayfair. Princess Elizabeth was born at 17 Bruton St, Mayfair, in 1926 and now, almost 100 years later, a seafood restaurant has opened on the site, called Lilibet’s. “A princess who was never intended to become queen was born here,” reads the website. “You are invited to imagine what might have passed at this address, her earliest home … had fate not intervened.” Russell Sage, who also designed the Queen’s favourite hotel The Goring, created the glamorous interiors. Visit lilibetsrestaurant.com
Learn how to set a royal table, at Highgrove
Finally, for any local readers, there’s a fabulous Christmas Tablescapes and Canapes Masterclass taking place at Highgrove in November, where you can learn how to style a regal table and make show-stopping canapes. Sarah Fenwick and Kelly Bailey from Cotswold Tablescapes and The Buttery Dish are running a half-day workshop on Sunday November 16, for £120. Book at highgrovegardens.com
Never mind being evicted. He should be convicted.