Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson's 'demands over leaving Royal Lodge in Windsor'
There's been mounting pressure over their 30-room mansion in Windsor
Prince Andrew and ex-wife Sarah Ferguson are reportedly prepared to move out of Royal Lodge in Windsor, but only if their demands for two royal residences are met.
Andrew, 65, and Sarah, 66, have allegedly agreed to vacate the 30-room Royal Lodge, a sprawling mansion nestled in Windsor Great Park, after pressure from both the palace and the public.
But according to reports, the pair are negotiating to secure Frogmore Cottage and Adelaide Cottage, the former homes of Princes Harry and William, respectively, as part of their exit deal.
Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson ‘demand’ Frogmore Cottage and Adelaide Cottage
“Andy is willing to leave, but these are his demands,” a source reportedly told The Sun. “He is realistic and knows the writing is on the wall and that his time at Royal Lodge is up. If he must go, then he has asked for Frogmore Cottage. Incredibly, Sarah has said she wants Adelaide Cottage.”
Andrew and Sarah have lived together at Royal Lodge since 2008, despite divorcing in 1996.
Their unusual cohabitation has long raised eyebrows. But insiders have claimed that they have come under “immense strain” this year, due to both the Jeffrey Epstein scandal surrounding them and the pressure to downsize.
“It’s incredible that they are willing to go their own separate ways,” the source reportedly continued. “But it indicates that they need a break from one another. It’s a fresh start for both.”
The properties being requested, Frogmore Cottage and Adelaide Cottage, are just minutes apart within the secure Windsor estate, meaning the pair could still maintain regular contact and be close to their daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and their grandchildren.
What rent has Andrew paid at Royal Lodge?
Built in the 17th century, Royal Lodge has been Andrew’s home since 2003, when he took over the lease from The Queen Mother following her death in 2002. Despite its grandeur, reports emerged recently that Andrew has lived there rent-free for more than 20 years under a “peppercorn rent” arrangement.
Andrew reportedly made significant lump-sum payments up front when the lease was signed in 2003. These included £7.5million in renovation costs, completed in 2005, as well as £1million for the lease.
He has since paid only “one peppercorn” in rent per year, which means a small sum such as £1.
However, Andrew and Sarah have faced scandal in recent years over their association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew’s Epstein scandal
Andrew stepped back from royal duties in 2019 and hasn’t returned to them since.
He faced a US civil case in 2021 as his accuser Virginia Giuffre accused him of sexual assault. Ms Guiffre alleged she was made to sleep with the prince whe Andrew has always vehemently denied the accusations. They reached an out-of-court settlement in 2022. However, the royal repeated that the settlement did not mean any liability or admission of guilt.
On October 17 of this year, Andrew announced he would stop using his Duke of York title as the sexual assault allegations against him resurfaced in his accuser Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir.
Insiders say King Charles has long hoped his brother would move out of Royal Lodge. He reportedly initially offered him Frogmore Cottage in early 2023 after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moved out. At the time, Andrew reportedly declined.
Now, however, the tide seems to be turning.
Meanwhile, Sarah is said to be keen on Adelaide Cottage, a four-bedroom residence just around the corner.
The property will soon be vacated as the Prince and Princess of Wales move their family into nearby Forest Lodge.
Prince Andrew gives up royal titles amid scandal
Andrew is facing renewed scrutiny over his links to Epstein following the allegations in Ms Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, Nobody’s Girl, which was released on October 21.
Meanwhile, leaked emails have emerged showing Andrew allegedly reassuring Epstein in 2011 that they were “in this together”. The email was reportedly sent just one day after the now-infamous 2001 photo of Andrew and then-17 Giuffre emerged in the press.
The damning emails appear to contradict statements Andrew made during his controversial Newsnight interview, where he claimed to have cut ties with Epstein in December 2010.
Meanwhile, the palace has recently confirmed that Andrew has will stop using his remaining royal titles and honours, which included his dukedom and his Order of the Garter membership.
In a rare public statement, Andrew said: “With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”
As talks continue behind closed doors, it seems that Andrew and Sarah’s time at Royal Lodge is nearing its end.
Royal Insider has contacted Buckingham Palace and Sarah Ferguson for comment.
Read more: Prince Andrew ‘in talks over Royal Lodge home’ amid scandal
Should Prince Andrew leave Royal Lodge? Let us know by leaving a comment on our Facebook page @RoyalInsider.
