Prince Andrew Could Move To a ‘Secret Palace’ Abroad If He Leaves The Royal Lodge
According to reports, the 'secret palace' is said to be fully staffed and located close to the Persian Gulf waters in the UAE.
Prince Andrew plunged the monarchy into crisis again after his 2011 email to Jeffrey Epstein surfaced, showing he continued to stay in touch after publicly claiming to have cut ties with the financier in 2006. Caught in a red-faced lie, he announced on October 17 that he was renouncing his royal titles following a discussion with King Charles. In the wake of his public statement, critics called for the former Duke to vacate the 30-room Royal Lodge. Should that happen, Andrew may find refuge in his 'secret palace' in Abu Dhabi, reportedly a gift from the Al Nahyan family.
Royal author Andrew Lownie was the first to allege that the Prince was gifted the mansion by Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. According to the Daily Mail, the Palace is said to be fully staffed and located close to the Persian Gulf waters. However, Andrew and Sarah Ferguson are reportedly not interested in relocating there, as the latter is known to dislike the heat, while the Prince finds the area 'too quiet.' The news also comes amid reports that Prince William and Kate Middleton are eager to have Andrew and Ferguson removed from Royal Lodge, as they allegedly do not want to live near them.
As per The Scottish Daily Express, royal correspondent Linda Duberley claimed there was "speculation that Prince Andrew actually has a little palace somewhere in the Gulf and he might actually go there." Chiming in, GB News' Patrick Chrystys remarked, "Personally, I think it's safer for us if we keep him [Andrew] here." He noted that when Andrew was a trade envoy, he mixed 'golf with so-called business' and used the position to boost his own business development 'at the taxpayers' expense.'
The Gulf is home to several world-class golf courses, allowing Andrew to enjoy his sporting passion, should he relocate there.
In the aftermath of Andrew's title loss and scandals, MPs have urged the former Duke of York to evict Royal Lodge, a Crown Estate property. Commenting on the same, British Conservative politician Robert Jenrick told the Daily Mail, "I don't think the taxpayer should in any way be footing the bill for him [Andrew] to live in luxury homes ever again. He shouldn't have any taxpayer subsidies going forward." He continued, "It's about time Prince Andrew took himself off to live in private and make his own way in life. He has disgraced himself; he has embarrassed the royal family time and again."
Despite public calls for Andrew to evict Royal Lodge, the Prince is protected by an iron-clad lease. The Times obtained a copy of his leasehold agreement for Royal Lodge, showing his unique 'peppercorn rent' agreement. It cited that when Andrew acquired the 75-year lease of Royal Lodge in 2003, he paid $1.2 million for the privilege and later about $9 million for restoring the mansion. As part of the agreement, his official rent is effectively symbolic, just 'one peppercorn (if demanded)' per year.
