Lease Agreement Protects Andrew's Residency Despite King’s Request for Downsizing
Prince Andrew has reportedly received positive news regarding his ongoing dispute with King Charles over his residence at Royal Lodge. Despite the King's request for Andrew to downsize, the Duke of York will remain in the 31-room luxury mansion.
The rift between the brothers centers on King Charles's wish for Andrew to cover the property’s maintenance and security costs, now that he is no longer a working royal. However, royal expert Richard Palmer took to X (formerly Twitter) to explain that the King lacks the authority to evict his brother, saying, "Charles has no power to remove Andrew, and the Crown Estate hasn’t set any new deadlines."
Prince Andrew’s long-term residence is protected by a 75-year lease he signed with the Crown Estate in 2003, complicating efforts to move him out. While the King has reportedly cut funding, potentially leaving Andrew struggling to cover the upkeep, the lease prevents Charles from enforcing an eviction.
Royal correspondents, including Cameron Walker, confirm that the lease is with the Crown Estate, not King Charles, meaning the monarch has little control over Andrew's residence, leaving him securely in place at Royal Lodge.
