Royal Lodge, the mansion where Prince Andrew lives – fallen from grace following a number of scandals, including sexual – appears to be collapsing. The building is in urgent need of repairs, which could reignite the row with King Charles and Prince William over the Duke of York's right to live there, according to Mirror Online.
King Charles and his brother Prince Andrew. AFP PHOTO
Prince Andrew, who appears to have no income, was reportedly advised by King Charles last year to leave the 30-room royal residence, which is also home to the duke's ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, so the Royal Lodge to welcome Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales.
It was rumored that Andrew, 64, would not be able to cope with the £400,000-a-year upkeep of the 19th-century property.
The Duke of York, however, refused to move from the Queen Mother's former home in Windsor Great Park.
In October of last year, it was reported that he had made a deal according to which the condition for being able to stay was to carry out the repairs that the residence needs.
“The King will be alarmed at the true state of the residence”
Images published by Mirror Online on Saturday show worsening cracks in the brickwork, as well as peeling paint on an outbuilding.
“The Duke of York has a clear responsibility for the upkeep of the Royal Lodge property, which is certainly not happening. The state of the residence will be of great concern to the king after all that has happened and been discussed concerning the house ()…..No doubt the king will be alarmed at the true state of the residence, after the duke has assured him that everything it is under control“, a source told the Mirror.
Prince Andrew's fortune continues to be shrouded in mystery. In 2022, the Duke of York paid £12 million to Virginia Giuffre to stop a US civil lawsuit after she said Andrew sexually assaulted her three times when she was 17, which the Duke vehemently denied.
