Royal commentator Richard FitzWilliams has highlighted the growing problems surrounding Prince Andrew’s residence at the Royal Lodge in Windsor.
Speaking amid ongoing speculation about the Duke of York’s future at the £30million mansion, Fitzwilliams highlighted the “many obvious” challenges the prince faces in keeping the property.
The expert pointed to the difficulty of removing someone who is “absolutely committed to staying”, adding that the situation is becoming increasingly complex.
Questions also swirl about how the Duke is financing his extended stay at the royal residence, adding another layer of mystery to an already complicated scenario.
Addressing. GB News, They examined the complexities surrounding Prince Andrew’s permanent residence at Royal Lodge, and identified the main challenges he faced in maintaining the vast estate.
“It’s pretty clear that it’s going to be very difficult for him to maintain the property, which is huge, in the way that the lease calls for,” explained Fitzwilliams.
He also expressed concern about the difficulty of removing someone committed to staying, noting the uncertainty surrounding Andrew’s financial situation.
“We just don’t know how much money Andrew has,” Fitzwilliams said, referring to a 2021 report that his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson had bought a £2 million property in Mayfair.
The royal expert also highlighted that despite some signs of financial stability, including the sale of a £19 million property in Verbier, the situation remains precarious.
“Donor reports have been received,” Fitzwilliams added, before pointing to the Duke’s past associations with controversial figures.
“Andrew has had some pretty awful friends in the past. No one would dispute that,” he said, but the exact source of his funding remains unclear.
The Duke now faces a significant financial burden, with the 30-bedroom property costing around £260,000 a year in rent and an extra £400,000 in maintenance costs.
Yet, despite these financial difficulties, Andrew lives on at Royal Lodge under a 75-year lease that began nearly 20 years ago.