Royal commentators believe Prince Andrew is living an “isolated” life at the Royal Lodge, five years after he stepped back from royal duties.
The Duke of York stepped away due to backlash he received about his association with the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Furthermore, he later reached an out-of-court settlement with Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who alleged that he had sexually assaulted her, and brought a civil case against him.
The settlement was not an admission of guilt and he accepted no liability. He has vehemently denied any wrongdoing in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
The father-of-two has since also lost his HRH status and has been stripped of his military titles and patronages.
Now, royal experts have shared their thoughts on Andrew’s seemingly more quiet life away from the public, and his finances.
Speaking in the documentary Prince Andrew: Where Did All The Money Go?, one commentator said: “He’s rarely seen out and about at any kind of public event, he doesn’t venture into London like he used to a few years ago.”
Carole Malone, a journalist, broadcaster and Daily Express columnist, added: “His life is golf and horses and Sarah (Ferguson) and their kids (Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie), and thank God he has them because I think he’d have very little else.”
Prince Andrew secured a 75-year lease on the Grade II listed home in Windsor, now thought to be worth £30million, back in 2003.
In the documentary, it is said that he reportedly put a staggering £7.5million towards refurbishing the property.
The Duke of York currently resides at the Lodge with his former spouse, Sarah, who divorced in 1996.
According to PR expert Mark Borkowski, Andrew’s sheltered life could be down to his lack of public opportunities.
Speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive podcast, he said there is “no way” anyone would go near him for work.
The PR guru adds that at the very least, he could perhaps do “something very subtle”, such as charity work.
On what he thinks is best for Andrew, he added: “I think he just needs to carry on playing golf and driving his cars around the estate and whatever.”
