Prince Andrew is said to be in advanced discussions with senior royal aides about vacating Royal Lodge, his long-held 30-room mansion in Windsor Great Park. The move follows growing public scrutiny over his “peppercorn rent” arrangement and renewed attention on his ties to Jeffrey Epstein after the posthumous release of Virginia Giuffre’s memoir, Nobody’s Girl.
Prince Andrew to ‘leave royal residence’ as insider makes five-word commenthttps://t.co/d0qRY4Vfax
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Andrew secured the lease in 2003 for £1 million and agreed to invest £7.5 million in renovations. However, he has since been paying a symbolic rent of one peppercorn per year, if demanded. The arrangement has sparked criticism and triggered inquiries by the Public Accounts Committee, which has written to the Crown Estate and UK Treasury for clarification.
Despite initially insisting he could remain until 2078, sources say the Duke is now expected to relinquish the property voluntarily, following near-daily talks with Buckingham Palace. King Charles has reportedly pushed his brother to move for some time, with mounting “determination” within the Palace to resolve the issue.
Under the lease terms, Andrew would receive £558,000 compensation if he vacates early. His financial situation remains uncertain since the King withdrew financial support last year. It is also unclear where he and Sarah Ferguson, who lives with him, would relocate.
Buckingham Palace has declined to comment, while Downing Street confirmed Parliament will not debate the matter, citing “more pressing national issues.”
Andrew’s position within the royal family continues to deteriorate. Last week, he announced he would relinquish active use of his titles, including Duke of York, though they technically remain. This followed revelations of a 2011 email to Epstein, sent months after he claimed to have cut ties, saying, “We’re in this together.”
The developments come as the monarchy seeks to move past the Epstein scandal and distance itself from lingering controversies that have overshadowed the King’s reign.
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