Prince Andrew has been spotted driving with his younger brother Edward – after it was revealed that during construction work he refuses to leave his house for fear he ‘might never get back in’.
Andrew, 63, and the Duke of Edinburgh, 59, were out and about early this morning in Windsor Great Park – with both royals dressed casually in shirts rolled up to their elbows.
The pair have been seen driving together several times in recent weeks. It occurs as preparations continue Trooping the Color on Saturday, although Andrew was not allowed to participate last year.
The Duke of York is currently locked in a stalemate between himself and his brother King Charles, who is keen for Prince Andrew to leave his Royal Lodge, his long-standing home in Windsor, to wind down the monarchy.
The royal family, who has no official duties after being forced to quit over the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, shares the 30-room, £30 million mansion alone with his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York.
Edward and Andrew were out and about in Windsor Great Park early this morning – with both royals dressed casually in shirts rolled up to their elbows
The pair – seen today – have been seen driving together several times in recent weeks
Preparations for Trooping the Color on Saturday continue, although Andrew was not allowed to participate last year
The King believes the property should be given a new use, but Andrew, who has taken over the late Queen Mother’s long-term home and invested up to £7m of his own fortune into renovations, refuses to budge .
The Mail understands that some necessary work will be carried out later this summer, including roof repairs paid for by Andrew himself.
Royal Lodge has seven bedrooms over the two top floors. According to sources, it would make sense for the prince to temporarily move into nearby Frogmore Cottage – the former home of Harry and Meghan that the king has suggested Andrew could permanently “downsize” to.
But the source also claims that Andrew – rightly or wrongly – fears that if he left the premises, even temporarily, he could face permanent eviction.
“It has become a farce,” they said.
Andrew has scheduled roof repairs later this summer that will take several months to complete and he has been told that staying in the house during those renovations could be problematic. But he’s hesitant to leave.’
Buckingham Palace declined to comment, but another source insisted the Duke of York was not required to leave.
The Mail understands that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, now based in California, still have Frogmore’s lease, which expires in July.
The Duke of York is currently stuck in a standoff between himself and his brother King Charles
Charles is keen for Prince Andrew to leave Royal Lodge as part of his plans to slim down the monarchy
It was confirmed earlier this year that they have also been given notice to vacate their Windsor home, which was given to them by the late Queen.
Princess Eugenie currently lives with her husband and two children in the comfortable five-bedroom home. She gave birth to her second son last week and the arrangement allows her to be close to her parents and make sure Frogmore stays busy.
Another source added that despite the drama surrounding Royal Lodge and the expense involved in repairing it, the Duke of York is adamant that he will stay in his home and not become Frogmore’s new resident.
“They originally wanted Andrew out of Royal Lodge so the property could be renovated and ready for new tenants,” the source said.
But he’s adamant that since he has so many years left on his lease and he’s spent millions of his own fortune refurbishing the place, he won’t leave his house. He feels very strongly, perhaps with some justification, that they are suddenly moving the goalposts and that is hugely unfair.
Prince Andrew lives in the £30 million mansion with just his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York
Prince Andrew is out of official duties after being forced to step down over the Jeffrey Epstein scandal (pictured).
“No one knows how it will be resolved, but Andrew insists. Obviously it was convenient for Harry and Meghan to leave Frogmore because they paid for a property they don’t actually use. But Royal Lodge is Andrew’s home.’
It has long been rumored that the Prince and Princess of Wales, who currently live in four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage in Windsor with their three children, could move in.
But it is believed that the Crown Estate also does not rule out commercially renting out the Royal Lodge to get the best return.
Rumor has it that the Prince and Princess of Wales, who live in Adelaide Cottage, Windsor, may move in with their children. But it is believed that the Crown Estate does not rule out the Royal Lodge being rented out commercially.
