Prince Andrew in high spirits as goes for a ride in Windsor
Something to laugh about? Prince Andrew gives a huge grin as he takes a ride in Windsor… after it was claimed he will NOT be giving up Royal Lodge
Prince Andrew appeared in high spirits today when he was spotted in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
The 63-year-old royal was without his brother, Prince Edward, who often joins him on his weekly outings. But the loneliness didn’t seem to bother Andrew, who was clearly enjoying the mild weather.
It comes as Prince Andrew is reportedly trying to relaunch himself as a royal, having been forced to step back and cease royal work following the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
He’s also set to refuse his older brother’s requestse that he is swapping the 30-room lodge where he currently lives with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson for the considerably smaller Frogmore Cottage.
King Charles would have ‘no power’ to kick Prince Andrew out of his Royal Lodge home in Windsor, and sources say the Duke has ‘no plans’ to leave.
Prince Andrew appeared in high spirits today when he was spotted in the grounds of Windsor Castle
Prince Andrew grinned as he toured the Windsor estate on Saturday morning, accompanied by two other horsemen.
An insider claims that the monarch will not be able to remove the disgraced royal family from the property because his brother’s name is on the lease, not the royal family’s.
It has been reported that the Royal Lodge was lined up for Prince William and Kate to move in.
But Andrew is reportedly planning to honor the lease he signed in 2003 – which expires in 75 years – by refusing to vacate the £30 million mansion.
This is despite alleged pressure from Buckingham Palace to move into Frogmore Cottage, a smaller residence on the Windsor estate formerly occupied by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
An insider who is in regular contact with Andrew has told this The times: ‘The lease is in the duke’s name, so no one can take that away from him.
“It was never suggested that it could be taken from him. It is a long lease with a term of 80 to 90 years.
“This is a lease between him and the Crown Estate. That is not a matter for the king. It is a matter for the Chancellor of the Treasury. The only way to get him to move is through a settlement – he would have to agree.’
The 63-year-old royal was without his brother, Prince Edward, who often joins him on his weekly outings. But the loneliness didn’t seem to bother Andrew, who was clearly enjoying the mild weather
Prince Andrew was seen last week with his younger brother Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh
The brothers seemed to be deep in conversation as they soaked up the sun in Windsor
A friend told the Mail On Sunday that Andrew is feeling dejected and ‘refuses to part with’ the estate, which is believed to be reserved for the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children.
“He’s so vulnerable,” the friend told the Mail. There are reports that Andrew has been dejected and even withdrawn.
‘He refuses to see anyone. This has been his family home for the past 20 years. Is it really wise to kick him out?’
They added: “He is concerned that now that the coronation is over, the knives are out. He is afraid that the royals will even cut the utilities to get him out of there. But we’re dealing with people, not real estate.’
It is widely believed that the Royal Lodge, once occupied by the Queen Mother, is destined for Prince William and his family.
Andrew moved into the lavish home after the Queen Mother’s death in 2002. He was given the residence by his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, and lives there with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson.