Duke of York Refuses to Vacate Royal Lodge, Planning to Pass Lease to Daughters
Prince Andrew's resolute strategy to remain at the Royal Lodge has surfaced amid his ongoing dispute with King Charles. Despite the King's request for the Duke of York to relocate to a smaller residence, possibly Frogmore Cottage, Andrew is determined to stay put.
The Duke of York, who signed a 75-year lease for the Royal Lodge with the Crown Estate in 2003, still has over 50 years left on the agreement. According to insiders, Andrew is betting on outlasting his elder brother in this standoff, showing no intention of moving.
"Andrew can sit tight and run out the clock," a source told the Daily Beast. They added, "Andrew wants his brother to live long and prosper. He is intensely loyal to the monarchy. But it’s not exactly a state secret that Andrew is more than a decade younger than his brother."
The source further remarked on the perplexity surrounding King Charles's insistence on relocating Andrew, saying, "Quite why Charles wants this distraction at this moment in his reign is a great mystery to Andrew’s friends. It looks childish and vindictive as I don’t think anyone except Charles would give a damn where Andrew lives."
Prince Andrew is not only planning to stay at Royal Lodge but also intends to pass the lease on to his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, after his death. With 54 years remaining on the lease, Andrew aims to ensure that the property remains in his family.
A former courtier commented on the public nature of the dispute, noting, "The whole thing is a mess, and arguing about it publicly is not helping the King. Ultimately, Andrew will have to be given something to surrender the lease."
