In a candid revelation, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, has addressed the swirling rumors surrounding her and ex-husband Prince Andrew‘s potential eviction from Royal Lodge.
This comes in light of King Charles‘s recent decision to disband the Duke of York’s personal security team, raising eyebrows about Andrew’s future at the grand estate.
The situation has grown increasingly tense as reports indicate that King Charles is considering booting Andrew from Royal Lodge, primarily due to the exorbitant costs associated with maintaining the residence.
The monarch appears eager to remove his brother from the public eye, particularly given Andrew’s tarnished reputation.
Since 2003, Andrew has shared the lavish home with Sarah under a lengthy 75-year lease from the Crown Estate.
However, following the loss of his civil list funding as a non-working royal, keeping up with the mansion’s hefty upkeep has become a significant challenge for him.
Nestled in the picturesque Windsor Great Park, Royal Lodge is not just any residence; it was once the cherished home of the Queen Mother.
The estate features its own chapel, which holds sentimental value as the venue where Princess Beatrice wed Eduardo Mapelli Mozzi in 2020.
Reports have surfaced that the Duke has neglected the mansion’s maintenance, leading to alarming issues like deteriorating brickwork, peeling paint, and serious damp problems.
Earlier this year, the Yorks received a temporary reprieve when Sarah managed to secure funds for urgent repairs, but now, it seems the King is once again intent on evicting them.
Last week, King Charles took a definitive step by terminating the contract of the 10-man security detail assigned to Andrew, which only intensified speculation regarding the Duke’s looming departure from Royal Lodge.
In a recent interview with OLA-TV, the Duchess was directly questioned about Andrew’s potential move.
With a touch of skepticism, she advised viewers not to take everything they read at face value.
When pressed further, she admitted that she wasn’t involved in discussions regarding the future of their residence, despite having lived there for nearly two decades.
“I don’t know.
I take every day as it comes,” she shared, reflecting a sense of uncertainty about their living situation.
Meanwhile, Andrew is reportedly preparing to join King Charles and the rest of the royal family at Balmoral Castle for their annual summer retreat, marking a significant change of scenery for him after spending months at Royal Lodge.
A source close to the family indicated that the Duke is eager to escape the confines of his current home, having hardly ventured out since Christmas.
This getaway to Balmoral is anticipated to be a welcome break for him.
While the prospect of losing Royal Lodge looms, it’s worth noting that Sarah Ferguson is not without resources.
She owns at least one property, a luxurious muse house situated in the affluent Belgravia district of London, ensuring that she would not be left homeless should they have to vacate Royal Lodge.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the dynamics within the royal family will shift and what the future holds for Sarah and Andrew at their iconic residence.