Andrew ‘unlikely’ to quit Queen Mum’s old home – but can he afford to run it?
PRINCE Andrew is ‘pretty unlikely’ to leave Royal Lodge at Windsor despite having no apparent source of income for its upkeep, according to a source.
Andrew, who can no longer use his HRH status and has no formal role within the royal family, was given a 75-year lease on the Queen Mother’s former home after her death in 2002. One of the conditions is that he carries out significant refurbishments.
While major renovations were completed 20 years ago, it is unclear how, with no obvious income apart from a modest Naval pension, he could pay for further repairs.
Earlier this year, Andrew agreed a multi-millionpound settlement with Virginia Giuffre, a victim of the serial paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, who had accused him of sexually abusing her on three occasions, including once when she was 17. While he has repeatedly and vehemently denied her claims and any wrongdoing, he was stripped of his official royal roles and has become a pariah.
With question marks over how Andrew could afford to continue to live at Royal Lodge, the Grade II listed property had been suggested as a potential home for Prince William and his wife Kate. The Mail on Sunday revealed last year that plans were being considered for the family to move to Windsor.
It is understood that one of the properties the couple are now eyeing is Adelaide Cottage. Located in the grounds of the Windsor Home Park. Kate has been visiting schools around Windsor and is said to favour mixed-sex schools for her children. William went to nearby Eton.