In a dramatic royal property reshuffle, Prince Andrew and his former wife Sarah Ferguson have reached an agreement with the monarchy to depart their cherished 30-room Windsor mansion, Royal Lodge, according to exclusive reports.
The controversial Duke of York, who has faced mounting pressure to reduce his footprint within the royal estate, will reportedly receive two alternative properties as part of the arrangement brokered with his brother, King Charles III.
The Windsor Compromise
Sources close to the negotiations reveal that the King has been locked in delicate discussions with Andrew for months regarding the future of the Grade II-listed Royal Lodge. The sprawling property has been Andrew's primary residence since 2004, following a 75-year lease agreement with the Crown Estate.
The breakthrough deal sees the Duke and Duchess of York, who maintain an unusually close relationship despite their 1996 divorce, agreeing to vacate the 30-room mansion in exchange for two smaller homes within the royal portfolio.
Financial Pressures Mount
Royal commentators suggest the agreement comes amid significant financial considerations. The estimated £7 million renovation costs for Royal Lodge, combined with Andrew's reduced income following his withdrawal from public duties, created unsustainable pressures.
"The mathematics simply didn't add up," revealed a palace insider. "Maintaining a property of that scale requires substantial resources, and with Andrew no longer undertaking royal work, alternative arrangements became necessary."
Frogmore Cottage Homecoming?
While the specific properties involved remain undisclosed, speculation points toward Frogmore Cottage - the former Windsor home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle - as a potential component of the arrangement.
The property shuffle represents one of King Charles's most significant domestic resolutions since ascending the throne, demonstrating his determination to streamline royal operations while managing complex family dynamics.
Both Buckingham Palace and representatives for Prince Andrew have declined to comment on what insiders describe as a "sensitive and private family matter."
