Prince Andrew’s Reluctant Exit From Royal Lodge 'Lies in His Mindset', Says Expert
Prince Andrew’s decision to leave Royal Lodge has been the subject of speculation for months. However, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams believes the explanation is rooted less in circumstances and more in personality. The 65-year-old prince, who has lived at the Windsor residence for more than two decades, is said to have agreed to vacate the property under specific conditions. Yet Fitzwilliams suggests the real story lies in how Andrew sees his place in a royal world that no longer bends to his will.
Speaking to GB News, the royal commentator said, "The answer lies in his mindset, and he has a particular way of looking at the world, which is very, very different from those who take a more balanced view of things.” He continued, "He's under terrific pressure. It's perfectly obvious that despite the cast iron lease, he was going to move from Royal Lodge in one way or another." Fitzwilliam's remarks hint at a reluctant acceptance. His departure feels less like a choice and more like the Palace finally tightening the drawstring.
Royal Lodge, the Grade II-listed property within Windsor Great Park, has been Andrew’s home since 2003. The prince is said to have spent more than $13 million restoring and refurbishing the mansion. Despite being stripped of his official duties and patronages in 2022 following his association with Jeffrey Epstein, he held on to the property through a long-term lease that runs until 2078. For years, it stood as his final foothold within the royal fold, one he was reluctant to give up. In recent months, however, pressure from the Palace has quietly intensified.
According to The Sun, Andrew’s willingness to move comes with conditions. He has reportedly agreed to leave Royal Lodge only if both he and his former wife, Sarah Ferguson, are granted new homes within the royal estate. His preferred residence is said to be Frogmore Cottage, once occupied by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. On the other hand, Ferguson has shown interest in Adelaide Cottage, currently home to Prince William and Princess Kate. A friend of the couple told the outlet, “Andy is willing to leave, but these are his demands. He is realistic and 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 prospect of a so-called ‘double property exchange’ has stirred talk about fairness inside the royal fold. The Sussexes were swiftly removed from Frogmore Cottage after Harry's tell-all memoir, Spare, hit shelves in 2023. However, despite Andrew’s fall from grace, he has continued to stay at the Windsor estate. Financial strain has added to the urgency. King Charles has reportedly cut the 65-year-old prince’s annual allowance, making the upkeep impossible. At the same time, logical timing has come into play. With the Waleses set to move from Adelaide Cottage to Forest Lodge, timing is everything. “William wants him gone before they start to move in next week,” a Palace source told the Daily Mail.
So, in Fitzwilliams' view, Prince Andrew's world is shrinking, and Royal Lodge was its last bastion. Letting it go may not just close a chapter but also quietly mark the end of an era where Andrew still believed he could call the shots.