Prince Andrew is once again under pressure to leave Royal Lodge as a 2028 deadline set by the Crown Estate draws closer amid questions over repairs and financial arrangements.
Prince Andrew is confronting another major test as a key deadline looms over his tenure at the historic Royal Lodge estate in Windsor — with the Crown Estate now applying renewed pressure over its upkeep and future.
At 65, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, is locked in a high-stakes standoff over Royal Lodge, the sprawling 30-acre mansion he has called home since 2004. A 75-year lease granted in 2003 allows him to stay until 2078, but it comes with strings: he must fund costly restoration projects and building maintenance himself.
Known for its 31 rooms, extensive grounds and staff cottages, the Grade‑II listed property is estimated to be worth around £30 million, with upkeep costs of approximately £400,000 annually. Originally, Andrew outlaid £1 million as a premium and spent at least £7.5 million renovating the estate.
Security cut, alternative offered
In October last year, King Charles III removed Royal protection from Andrew and ended his £1 million annual allowance—part of a campaign to persuade him to downsize, potentially moving to Frogmore Cottage, the former Sussex residence. Despite the pressure, Andrew declined and secured private security and funding—reportedly with backing from Middle East sources—enabling him to remain at Royal Lodge.
“It’s the closest Andrew has come to being evicted,” says royal reporter Michael Cole. More recently, reports suggest King Charles may escalate the dispute by removing furniture and art from inside the property, a move some see as a tactic to make the lodge less hospitable for his brother.
Crown Estate deadline fast approaching
According to The Daily Mail, the Crown Estate has set a deadline of 2028—25 years into the 75-year lease—by which Andrew must prove compliance with refurbishment obligations. Failing that, he could lose his entitlement to a rebate and face repossession without compensation. If he does vacate before 2028, he is owed a gradually diminishing refund of his refurbishment investment.
Sources say Andrew is safe “until 2028 at least,” but beyond that date, the Crown Estate may reclaim the property. This looming deadline marks a pivotal moment in a family feud stretching back years.
Despite his renovations, Royal Lodge has shown signs of neglect. Images from last November revealed black mould, cracks in the exterior, peeling paint and overgrown grounds—a stark contrast to the meticulously maintained interior. The Duke reportedly spends most days off public view—quietly riding, walking dogs, playing golf, and being visited by his daughters Beatrice and Eugenie and their children.
Royal analysts observe that maintaining such a vast property with high overheads and no public role remains Andrew’s primary focus—even as he remains ostracised from official royal duties since 2019.
What’s next?
As the 2028 deadline approaches, several outcomes are possible.
Vacating: Andrew might choose to relinquish the lease, recover some refurbishment costs, and move to Frogmore.
Compliance: He may complete outstanding works and secure the lease through a full term.
Eviction: In the event of non-compliance, the Crown Estate might reclaim the property.
Whether furniture removals prove persuasive, or if funding sources hold firm, remains to be seen. Meanwhile, the Prince’s personal will to maintain Royal Lodge seems unflinching.
This dispute underlines the broader transformation within the royal family. King Charles, seeking to streamline the monarchy, is distancing himself from high-maintenance relatives and large-cost properties. Meanwhile, Andrew remains one of the few royals without public duties, living in a grand estate partly funded through private means.
The 2028 marker now looms as the next decisive chapter in this royal home saga. The resolution will shape not only Andrew’s future but also the Abbey’s approach to royal property and family responsibilities in an era of modern monarchy.
