In a dramatic royal shake-up, Prince Andrew has been compelled to vacate his lavish Royal Lodge residence following King Charles's decision to withdraw funding for his security protection. The Duke of York, once fourth in line to the throne, now faces a significant downgrade in his living arrangements.
From 30 Rooms to Modest Quarters
The disgraced prince, who has occupied the magnificent 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor since 2004, will be moving to the considerably more modest Frogmore Cottage - the former home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. This represents a substantial reduction in both space and status for the Queen's second son.
Security Costs Force Royal Hand
Buckingham Palace insiders confirm that the relocation stems directly from financial pressures. With King Charles implementing cost-cutting measures across the monarchy, continuing to fund Andrew's estimated £3 million annual security bill became untenable. The Sovereign Grant, funded by taxpayers, could no longer justify such substantial expenditure on a non-working royal.
A Palace Standoff Resolved
Sources close to the situation reveal that Andrew had been resisting the move for months, despite mounting pressure from the King's representatives. The Duke had reportedly hoped to retain his long-term home, but ultimately had little choice once security funding was withdrawn.
The relocation marks another chapter in Andrew's fall from grace, which began with his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and culminated in his settlement of a civil sexual assault case in 2022. Since then, he has been stripped of his military affiliations and royal patronages, effectively ending his public role.
Royal Reshuffle Continues
This move represents part of King Charles's broader strategy to streamline the monarchy and reduce costs. The transition to Frogmore Cottage, while a significant step down from Royal Lodge, ensures Andrew remains within the Windsor estate while relieving the royal household of substantial financial burden.
The Royal Lodge, which underwent a £7.5 million renovation funded by the Crown Estate during Andrew's tenure, will now likely be reassigned within the royal portfolio, though its future use remains uncertain.
