Prince Andrew is reportedly in intense negotiations regarding his upcoming residence. Buckingham Palace made a surprising announcement that Andrew Mountbatten Windsor would be formally stripped of his royal titles due to the ongoing controversy surrounding his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Despite Andrew vehemently denying allegations of sexual assault made by Virginia Giuffre, a purported victim of Epstein, the release of her posthumous memoir, Nobody’s Girl, has reignited attention to her claims. King Charles declared that his disgraced brother would be departing from his 30-room mansion near Windsor Castle, Royal Lodge, amidst the scandal.
There has been public outrage as it came to light that, under the terms of Andrew’s lease with the Crown Estate for the property, he paid only a nominal rent for the Grade II listed home. Although responsible for the maintenance and repairs of the large residence, which he once shared with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
It is anticipated that Andrew and Sarah will be going their separate ways, with Andrew moving to a property on the Sandringham Estate, while Sarah is reportedly considering accommodation options provided by one of her daughters. Princess Beatrice has a converted “cattle shed” in her Cotswold home as a potential choice, or alternatively, a suite in Princess Eugenie’s opulent home in Portugal, located in an upscale neighborhood often referred to as the ‘Hamptons of Europe.’
Although King Charles privately owns the Sandringham Estate, consisting of approximately 20,000 acres with around 150 properties, it remains uncertain which property Andrew will ultimately select, as reports suggest he has specific demands regarding his new residence before agreeing to vacate Royal Lodge.
Reports from MailOnline suggest that Andrew is seeking assurance of adequate staffing at his new residence, including a cook, housekeeper, gardeners, and a butler. These reports align with claims by royal expert Tom Sykes, indicating Andrew’s desire for an extensive staff and a sizable house on the Sandringham Estate, along with a driver and police security.
A former royal courtier speculated that Andrew’s negotiation over the terms of his departure was primarily driven by financial considerations, as he was essentially being bought out of his long-term lease agreement.
Andrew Lownie, author of the biography ‘Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York,’ highlighted the substantial investment Andrew made into Royal Lodge, emphasizing his expectation to retain the property for his children until 2078.
Furthermore, it has been reported that Andrew is keen on retaining the freedom to move around the estate unrestricted, rather than being confined to a specific property. Plans for Andrew and Sarah to vacate Royal Lodge in the New Year may face delays, according to recent updates.
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