Prince Andrew is reportedly desperate to retain his residence at the Royal Lodge as he attempts to hold on to his “remaining power” after being demoted in royal status. Daily Express, talk show Presenter Kevin O’Sullivan said the embattled prince sees the siege on the 30-room mansion as a symbol of his waning influence.
The 75-year-old monarch, King Charles, has called on Andrew to leave the property to build a more modest residence at Frogmore Cottage, and has even threatened to withdraw funding to Royal Lodge if Andrew does not comply. He said: “(Andrew) has lost everything and he doesn’t like it. Andrew believes he should be allowed back into the Fold, so the fact that he retains the key to Royal Lodge has become a symbol for him.”
The royal commentator added: “It’s a symbol of the power he has left. ‘As long as I have these keys, I can still take on my brother (King Charles)’. That’s basically my understanding. “He doesn’t have a permanent job and I wish him luck if he finds one. And with the current state of the world, I think a lot of people are not happy with his association with Jeffrey Epstein and would rather keep their distance.”
Read also: Kate Middleton and Prince William finally break silence at Royal Lodge
Despite this pressure, the Duke of York is refusing to leaveciting a 75-year lease on the property, which he obtained following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. This lease has become a major point of contention as Andrew uses it to justify his continued residence at Royal Lodge.
Andrew’s fall from grace began in 2020, when he was forced to step down from his role as a working royal. This decision came after a disastrous BBC Newsnight Interview In the interview, he attempted to explain his relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The interview only intensified public scrutiny and led to increased calls for him to be stripped of his royal duties and privileges.
The ongoing row over the Royal Lodge underscores the tense dynamics within the royal family. For Prince Andrew, maintaining his residence at the Lodge represents more than simply keeping a home; it symbolizes his struggle to retain some of his former status and influence within the royal hierarchy.
Read more: King Charles urges Prince Andrew to leave royal lodge
Kevin O’Sullivan said the impasse was symbolic of Andrew’s refusal to fully acknowledge his diminished role. “Holding on to Royal Lodge means holding on to the last vestiges of his power and status,” O’Sullivan said. “It’s a symbolic battleground for him.”
The situation is further complicated by public opinion, which has largely turned against Prince Andrew. His association with Epstein and the subsequent consequences severely damaged his reputation, making his efforts to retain the Royal Lodge even more controversial.
As the royal family grapples with these internal conflicts, the outcome of this particular standoff remains uncertain. It remains to be seen whether King Charles will enforce his demand or whether Andrew will successfully maintain his position on the lease. What is clear, however, is that this affair highlights the ongoing challenges and fractures within the royal family as it adjusts to new leadership and changing public expectations.