Prince Andrew Set to Move Into Frogmore Cottage as Renovators ‘Work Day and Night’: Source
Amid speculation that Prince Andrew has agreed to vacate Royal Lodge, reports suggest he only did so after negotiating for two royal residences in return. Among the options, his top choice is said to be Frogmore Cottage. It seems like Andrew may have gotten his way, as a source now claims Frogmore is undergoing intensive renovations to prepare for his arrival. The timing of this development has raised eyebrows, with many questioning how King Charles could so swiftly evict the Sussexes from Frogmore, yet grant Andrew his wish.
According to The Sun, tradespeople have been seen out and about in Frogmore, increasing speculation about Andrew's arrival. An insider told the outlet, "People have been inside Frogmore Cottage working day and night. Over the weekend, the lights were on after dark." They continued, "It shouldn't need a lot of work done as Harry and Meghan spent £2.4million (about $3 million) on repairs just six years ago and no one has lived there since, apart from the few months Princess Eugenie was there during the COVID-19 lockdown."
The insider's account comes just two days after The Sun reported Andrew and Sarah Ferguson's alleged deal with the Firm to vacate Royal Lodge. A friend of the couple revealed, "Andy is willing to leave, but these are his demands. He knows the writing is on the wall and that his time at Royal Lodge is up. If he must go, then he has asked for Frogmore Cottage. Incredibly, Sarah has said she wants Adelaide Cottage." The revelation may come as a sigh of relief to Prince William and Kate Middleton, who are allegedly unhappy with the idea of living close to the Yorks. The Waleses are reportedly relocating to Forest Lodge in early November, which is just 4 miles away from Royal Lodge.
It's not just the Waleses; many have suggested that Charles is desperate to evict his brother in the wake of the recent scandal, even snatching his annual allowance to make the upkeep of the residence financially unsustainable. Until recently, Andrew resisted, pointing to the 'cast-iron' terms of his lease. A close pal of the Yorks had shared, "Frogmore Cottage is too small for both of them, but Adelaide is around the corner, so they’ll see each other whenever they want. Both have space for their daughters, Eugenie and Beatrice, and their families to visit."
As for Andrew's lease at Royal Lodge, the disgraced Prince holds an agreement that runs until 2078. He also spent over $13 million refurbishing the property, meaning that if he gives it up, the Crown Estate may have to compensate him. Recently, The Telegraph reported that Andrew has not paid rent for more than 20 years. Meanwhile, Ferguson has lived with her ex-husband at the residence since 2008, despite their high-profile divorce in 1996.