Police Search Royal Lodge and Norfolk Properties Following Prince Andrew's Arrest
Thames Valley Police have confirmed that officers are conducting searches at properties connected to Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, following his shocking arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The searches are taking place in Berkshire, where his former home of 22 years, Royal Lodge, is located, and in Norfolk, where he now resides on the Sandringham estate.
Forced Relocation from Royal Lodge to Wood Farm
The former prince was compelled to vacate his grade II-listed 30-bedroom mansion, Royal Lodge, in January after sustained public outcry over his association with convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. It was subsequently disclosed that Andrew had not paid rent on the royal property for over two decades, despite a lease agreement. He has since been moved to the smaller Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate, which is privately financed by his brother, King Charles.
Arrest and Ongoing Investigations
Andrew's arrest, which occurred on his 66th birthday, marks the latest setback in a series of controversies. He is also under investigation for allegations that a woman was trafficked to the UK by Epstein for a sexual encounter with him. With the release of further damaging revelations from the Epstein files, Andrew has been entirely removed from public life, though hopes within the royal family for the scandal to subside appear dim.
On 17 October, it was announced that he would no longer be known as the Duke of York, while his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who continued to live with him at Royal Lodge, lost her duchess title.
Financial Details of the Royal Lodge Tenancy
According to a tenancy agreement released by the Crown Estate and obtained by The Independent, Andrew paid £1 million for the lease on his former Sandringham property, along with at least £7.5 million for refurbishments in 2005. Since moving in in 2003, he has paid only "one peppercorn (if demanded)" in rent annually.
A Closer Look at Royal Lodge: Andrew's Home for 22 Years
Location and History of Royal Lodge
Royal Lodge is situated approximately three miles south of Windsor Castle on the Windsor Estate. As part of the Crown Estate, it served as the Windsor residence of the Queen Mother from 1952 until her death in 2002. Originally built in the mid-1600s, the property has housed various staff and royal family members over the centuries, undergoing several name changes, including Lower Lodge and Great Lodge, before becoming known as Royal Lodge.
Size and Features of the Property
The grounds of Royal Lodge encompass 98 acres, with the main property boasting 30 rooms, including seven bedrooms spread across the two top floors. It features a large drawing room, referred to as the "formal room," a saloon, and an original conservatory that has been preserved. Additionally, a small cottage, Y Bwthyn Bach, gifted to Princess Elizabeth as a child by the people of Wales in 1932, is located on the grounds.
Other smaller properties on the estate include a Gardener's Cottage, the Chapel Lodge, six Lodge Cottages, and police security accommodation.
Previous Residents of Royal Lodge
Before Andrew's family took up residence, Royal Lodge was occupied by King George VI and the Queen Mother when they were still the Duke and Duchess of York. Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret spent significant time there, using it as a country retreat. In the mid-18th century, military topographer and artist Thomas Sandby lived in the house as the deputy ranger of the Great Park, leading to the property being named Deputy Ranger's House.
Later, it was home to Joseph Frost, the park bailiff, who became the general superintendent of farms after Sandby's death. George, Prince of Wales, who later became King George IV, used the lodge as temporary accommodation in 1812. The property was nearly entirely demolished, except for the conservatory, in 1830 under King William IV's orders and subsequently rebuilt. By 1840, it was used as accommodation for various officers of the royal household.
Andrew's Investment in Royal Lodge
Andrew leased Royal Lodge from the Crown Estate in 2003 with a £1 million one-off payment and spent around £7.5 million on renovations in 2005. He and his family held a 75-year lease, allowing them to reside there until 2078. In 2018, Andrew and Sarah's younger daughter, Princess Eugenie, held her wedding reception at Royal Lodge after her marriage to Jack Brooksbank at Windsor Castle.
