Prince Andrew Wouldn’t Have to Pay for Frogmore Renovations — An Unexpected Royal Already Did
It’s been a rough stretch for Prince Andrew. Surrendering titles you were gifted is one thing; saying goodbye to the 30-room mansion you’ve called home for more than twenty years is another. But in the middle of all the gloom, there might be a small silver lining that would be a relief for the disgraced royal. The Prince is reportedly preparing to swap Royal Lodge for Frogmore Cottage, the former home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
And that should indeed make him happy, as it means the move won’t cost him a penny in renovations. After stepping back from his Duke of York title earlier this month, Andrew is said to be in talks with Buckingham Palace over his next address. Royal Lodge, once the Queen Mother’s cherished home, has become something of a burden for King Charles, a lightning rod for criticism and a logistical nightmare.
According to The Sun, Andrew has expressed interest in relocating to Frogmore Cottage, the same Windsor property that was gifted to the Sussexes by the late Queen Elizabeth after they got married in 2018. A source close to the Yorks 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.”
Similarly, it was reported earlier that both Frogmore and Adelaide Cottage were floated as potential options months ago. Yet Frogmore comes with a curious advantage, that it was refurbished only a few years ago. After the keys were handed to the previous residents, that is, Harry and Markle, the Grade II-listed house underwent a major transformation, turning what was once a set of five staff apartments into a sleek single-family home.
The extensive refurbishing work reportedly cost Harry and Meghan around $3.1 million and was funded by the Sovereign Grant, money the couple later repaid in full after stepping back from royal duties. Even though it all went to waste, as the couple was evicted from the Cottage after Harry’s memoir hit the shelves in 2023, Frogmore lies in excellent condition. So, if Andrew moves in, there won’t be a renovation bill waiting on the mantelpiece.
And that should work just fine with Andrew. Recently, as per the BBC, which had a look at the lease agreement of the Royal Lodge, damning details came to the forefront. It was revealed that he has not paid rent for the property since 2003. Under his 2003 agreement with the Crown Estate, he purchased a 75-year lease for $1.3 million and spent at least $10 million refurbishing the home in 2005 — but since then, his annual rent has amounted to a symbolic 'one peppercorn (if demanded).'
However, legally, he’s under no obligation to leave as long as he continues to meet the terms of his lease. For now, the optics are indeed the problem. A non-working royal holding onto a palatial home while the King preaches fiscal prudence doesn’t quite fit the new image of a streamlined monarchy. And maybe, moving into Frogmore can help ease that narrative.