Duke of York accused of allowing estate to fall into disrepair as tensions over residency escalate.
Prince Andrew has come under fire for allegedly neglecting Royal Lodge, the 31-room estate he has called home for over 20 years, as his dispute with King Charles intensifies. Royal commentator Lizzie Cundy has accused the Duke of "letting Royal Lodge rot" while resisting pressure from the King to vacate the property.
Reports suggest that King Charles is seeking to remove Andrew from the estate, with one recent move involving the dismissal of the property’s 10-man security team to increase pressure on the Duke. Despite these efforts, Andrew is said to be failing in his responsibilities to maintain the mansion.
Cundy commented on the situation during an appearance on GB News with Nana Akua, stating: "He is letting the place go to ruin. It’s all chipped, paint is peeling off, and upkeep costs around £400,000 a year. Andrew isn’t meeting the conditions of his lease, which requires regular maintenance, including repainting every five years."
Andrew has reportedly told the King that he intends to "see out" the remaining 55 years on his lease, despite being urged to relocate to the vacant Frogmore Cottage, previously occupied by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Since losing his honorary titles and patronages in 2022, the Duke has no official royal duties and now spends his time pursuing personal hobbies such as horse riding and golf. The ongoing dispute has reportedly caused division within the royal family, with sources claiming that Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, are "disappointed" in how the King has handled the situation.
A royal source told Women's Day: "Charles is deeply concerned about the state of his family. The situation with Andrew and Royal Lodge has divided them, and the tensions with his sons only add to the strain."
