‘Rumbling dispute' over Queen's $57m Royal Lodge mansion
Prince Andrew is reportedly locked in a 'rumbling dispute' over his future at his home, Royal Lodge,
Charles, 75, is said to have wanted Andrew out of the house for years and has urged his scandal-hit sibling to relocate to Frogmore Cottage, a smaller, more modest home recently vacated by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
The Duke of York, who moved into Royal Lodge in 2004, has refused to move, after taking on a 'cast-iron lease' that lasts until 2078.
He currently resides at the 30-room mansion with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson.
According to The Daily Mail's Ephraim Hardcastle, a disagreement has emerged over who funds the external repairs needed at the mansion.
'It appears that Andrew, who paid upwards of £7.5 million ($A15.5 million) on renovations when given a 75-year lease in 2003, has maintained the interior but there is a rumbling dispute about who is responsible for extensive external repairs to the 30-room mansion,' Mr Hardcastle wrote in his column.
'Andrew should be safe until 2028. He is entitled to a partial rebate on his outgoings if given the order of the boot at the end of his first 25 years of his lease.'
Royal Lodge reportedly requires around £5 million ($A10.3 million) a year to maintain.
While Andrew has remained determined to stay in the property, it is thought it would require 'a substantial financial commitment each year'.
Robin Edwards of property buying agent Curetons told The Mirror that the cost of maintaining Royal Lodge will have 'grown significantly since then with time and inflation'.
'Staffing alone would be a significant expense, as the estate would likely employ a house manager, housekeepers, butlers, chefs and maintenance workers, easily costing between £350,000 (around $A726,000) and £500,000 ($A1.03 million) annually, ' he said.
'In addition the gardens would demand constant attention from a dedicated team of around four to six full-time gardeners, adding another £150,000 ($A300,000) to £250,000 ($519,000) to the yearly budget.'
He added: 'Utility bills, including heating, electricity and water for a mansion of this size, could easily exceed £200,000 ($A415,000) annually.
'Gardening and landscaping would require meticulous care, with formal gardens, lawns, pathways and trees needing constant upkeep, costing between £100,000 ($A207,000) and £200,000 ($A415,000) annually.
'Insurance and taxes would also take a hefty slice, with the building itself, contents and public liability insurance adding around £50,000 to £100,000 ($A207,000) per year.
'Additionally conservation and restoration efforts to maintain strict heritage rules and standards could add another £100,000 ($A207,000) to £200,000 ($A415,000) per year.'
Andrew stepped down as a working royal before being stripped of his titles by the late Queen, following being linked to American financier and child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Last year, Charles cut Andrew's annual personal allowance — reported to be around $2 million — which previously helped offset the financial burden of managing the $57 million property.
Back in February, Andrew faced eviction calls after it emerged that he held a business meeting with China's ambassador to the UK just days before his links to an alleged Chinese spy became public.
According to reports, the duke has spent over $14.1 million on repairs and renovations over the years and $1.5 million to take it over. His annual rent is a reported $530,000.
The Sunday Times reported the king did not renew the contract for Andrew's private security team.
The monarch had been paying for Andrew's security after the prince lost his police protection in 2022.
The security team is said to cost the king nearly $6.3 million annually.
At the time, a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace told Fox News Digital that the palace would not comment on 'security matters.'
The Sunday Times previously reported that Andrew had raised enough money to stay in Royal Lodge.
According to the outlet, the prince's funds were approved by the Keeper of the Privy Purse as coming from 'legitimate sources.'
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