Prince Andrew’s exit from Royal Lodge could be imminent as the Prince of Wales “wants him gone” before his familly’s move to closeby Forest Lodge in November, a source has claimed. The disgraced prince relinquished his royal titles and honours last week in a bombshell move ahead of the release of his abuse accuser, Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, in order not to distract the public from the work of the Royal Family, he said. He has denied all allegations against him.
But Andrew still retains his titles and honours, and he also still lives at the lavish, 30-room Royal Lodge, for which he has a private tenancy with the Crown Estate. However, following the latest bombshells, pressure is mounting on the royal to take the boot from the seven-bedroom residence, despite the 75-year-old lease that was granted to him in 2003.
The prince is reportedly in discussions about leaving his Royal Lodge home voluntarily following the furore over the “peppercorn” rent for the Windsor property.
The King’s brother is said to be in talks with Charles’ representatives but is reluctant to give up his residence of more than 20 years, with the sticking points said to be the location of his new home and financial compensation for funds spent on the lodge.
But according to the Mail on Sunday, the Prince and Princess of Wales, who currently reside at Adelaide Cottage, want to move into Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park before Bonfire Night, November 5, and the heir wants his uncle out by then.
A source told the outlet: “Catherine shudders at the thought of living so close to Royal Lodge while Prince Andrew is still in it.
“William wants him gone before they start to move in next week. It’s not about what Andrew doesn’t want to do anymore. It’s about what he’s going to be told to do.”
William and Kate, along with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, moved to Adelaide Cottage from Kensington Palace in 2022.
The newspaper claimed that the family had been eyeing up moving to Royal Lodge then, but Andrew “wouldn’t shift”.
A source said: “Them going into Adelaide Cottage was never the plan.
“But they were forced to because Prince Andrew wouldn’t shift.”
Earlier this year, the royal couple set their eyes on the eight-bedroom Georgian mansion and its 150-acre perimeter have been cordoned off to ensure the family’s security and privacy.