King Charles Shouldn't Tolerate Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s ‘Brazen’ Demand, Says Expert
Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson called ‘out of touch’ as expert warns King Charles against giving in to their housing demand.
As the fallout from Prince Andrew’s ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein continues, the former Duke is said to have agreed to move out of Royal Lodge. The 30-room estate has been his home since 2003, after the death of the Queen Mother. Despite holding a ‘cast-iron’ lease that runs till 2078, his willingness to vacate has brought two fresh demands. Reports suggest that he and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, are demanding two royal residences in return for giving up their Grade II-listed property.
The 65-year-old prince wants Frogmore Cottage, despite allegedly refusing to shift there in the past. On the other hand, Ferguson wants Adelaide Cottage, the current home of Prince William and Princess Kate, and just half a mile away from Frogmore, keeping the Yorks in proximity. Once home to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the five-bedroom residence was deemed ‘too small’ for both to share, prompting the former Duchess’s reported interest in Adelaide instead. A friend of the couple told The Sun, “Frogmore Cottage is too small for both and Adelaide Cottage is around the corner so they will see each other whenever they want.”
However, not everyone is on board with the duo claiming two royal properties. Royal expert Jennie Bond believes King Charles needs to stand firm. "I think it would be a serious mistake if the King and the Palace agreed to such a brazen demand," she told The Mirror. She also questioned if the former couple is “completely deaf to public opinion.” According to her, the demand comes at a time of “genuine outrage from the public” and “prominent members of Parliament.” Bond opined, "It is an audacious demand—and one that the Palace should outright reject... They should be made to fend for themselves and not rely on the King and the goodwill of the Crown Estate."
Bond also pointed out the irony of Andrew’s Frogmore Cottage request. "All of a sudden, Frogmore Cottage—which has been repeatedly rejected by Andrew—has apparently become desirable," she said. The residence’s $3.2 million renovations, funded entirely by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, now appear to appeal to him, even though he once deemed it ‘not grand enough’ for a royal of his standing. She added that Andrew has also been offered "the use of a plush Palace in Abu Dhabi,” which she believes might be the best option, saying, "Most people would think that the further away from the U.K. he goes, the better."
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams shared a similar view. He told the Daily Mail that the Yorks are living in a ‘weird fantasy world’ of their own. "If they think that having two homes — which the King, I'm sure, won't agree to — is likely to solve things, they're still living in a rather weird fantasy world. I'm surprised that Sarah Ferguson has managed these comebacks,” he detailed. Fitzwilliams explained that Ferguson has not been a working royal since 1992, because of which she is not entitled to any property from the Crown estate. He added, "There's no reason at all that she should [have her own Crown Estate] home. This is an idea that Andrew has had to give up the 30-room Royal Lodge. Well, let's have two. I don't see it working."
