'Logical choice': Prince Edward, Duchess Sophie tipped to claim Royal Lodge as Andrew battles to stay in the crumbling estate
A lesser-known royal couple are expected to rip Royal Lodge away from Prince Andrew as he battles to keep the home within his immediate family.
Prince Andrew is exploring passing the lease of Royal Lodge onto his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson or his daughters - but an unlikely couple of family members could instead steal the crumbling estate from them, new reports have claimed.
The Grade II listed home is suffering from maintenance problems and King Charles, 75, is reportedly using the urgent repair works to force the Yorks, both 64, out of the home as they cannot afford the £400,000-a-year upkeep fee.
The disgraced Duke of York reportedly again refused to leave the home earlier this month when the monarch doubled down on forcing him out and into the Sussex’s former home - the smaller Frogmore Cottage.
The Duke can bequeath Royal Lodge to an “immediate family member” or an "acceptable trustee” if he wants, according to the terms of the property’s 75-year lease which Andrew signed in 2003 following the late Queen Mother’s death.
It’s now understood he has explored passing the lease onto his ex-wife Fergie, who he divorced in 1996 but continues to live with, or their daughters Princess Beatrice, 35 and Princess Eugenie, 34.
Speaking to the UK’s The Mirror last week, one royal insider said Fergie, Beatrice or Eugenie may be reluctant to move into the crumbling home while large chunks of white exterior paint are cracked or completely peeled off the walls.
"It's very difficult to see why Beatrice or Eugenie would want the burden of taking on the lease when they would be far better investing any money they have where they would possibly get a return,” they said.
“That certainly wouldn't happen with Royal Lodge so one may wonder what the point of Andrew staying there is other than vanity."
Given the Prince and Princess of Wales are happy with their current home Adelaide Cottage, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are reportedly now being considered the Lodge’s next occupants.
Speaking to GB News on Monday, royal author Gareth Russell said Edward, the youngest sibling of Charles, and his wife Sophie could sweep Royal Lodge out from under Fergie, Beatrice and Eugenie’s feet.
"Royal Lodge has a high-profile history within the Royal Family. Bear in mind, it was the last home of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. So it has traditionally been assigned to senior royals,” Mr Russell said.
"The logical choice, of course, would be the Prince and Princess of Wales, but they've shown relatively little interest in moving home again. They seem quite content where they are. It could be the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh."
While Andrew battles to keep the property, his finances are said to be in turmoil after he was forced to pay £12million in an out-of-court settlement to Virginia Giuffre who accused him of sexual assault linked to the Jeffery Epstein case - an allegation Andrew denies.
It is understood the King has also threatened to strip the Duke of his £4million allowance, including £3million for his private security, after he was forced to step aside from royal duties.