Prince Andrew's plans to leave Royal Lodge to daughters 'incredibly unlikely'

Prince Andrew and King Charles
-Credit: (Image: 2019 Max Mumby/Indigo)


Prince Andrew's aspirations to bequeath Royal Lodge to his daughters have reportedly been shattered. A Royal commentator suggests Andrew finds himself in "no position" to pass on the property to Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. The 64 year old Duke of York has a lease agreement with the Crown Estate, enabling him to occupy the home until 2078.

Yet amidst controversy, Prince Andrew is said to be under increasing pressure to finance the maintenance and security costs of the Royal Lodge estate in Windsor if he intends to stay there. This campaign to move Prince Andrew out, who cohabitates with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, is being referred to as the "Siege of Royal Lodge".

The father-of-two had hoped to maintain Royal Lodge as a heritage property for his children, Princess Beatrice, aged 36, and Princess Eugenie, aged 34. But since withdrawing from public duties in 2019, the former working Royal faces intensified demands from his brother, King Charles, to downsize to a more modest abode.

The princesses are thought to already possess an inheritance property via their mother. The Duchess of York reportedly secured a £4 million house in Mayfair in 2022, as noted by the Scottish Daily Express, reports the Daily Record.

Royal expert Gareth Russell has expressed doubts to GB News about the likelihood of Royal Lodge being passed down as an inheritance to the Princesses of York. He remarked: "In theory, had everything gone the way Prince Andrew had hoped, there would have been possibly two inheritance homes for his daughters."

"But it's incredibly unlikely that that will be the fate for Royal Lodge. Maybe Mayfair is the alternative inheritance home given that Royal Lodge might not be Andrew's for the remainder of his life, much less something he's in any position to bequeath to his daughters."

Amidst speculation, Prince Andrew appears reluctant to leave the splendour of Royal Lodge for Frogmore Cottage, which was previously home to Harry and Meghan. If Andrew does move out, there are suggestions that the prestigious Royal Lodge could become a revenue-generating property for the Crown Estate.