Prince Andrew must repaint his Windsor Royal Lodge with two coats of paint every five years, new documents reveal – as King Charles is said to threaten to cut ties with the Duke if he refuses to move.
The disgraced Duke of York was due to be completed last year, but photos of the building show the brickwork on the royal estate exposed under peeling paint.
Andrew, who no longer has any official duties after being forced to quit over the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, shares the 30-room, £30million mansion with his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York.
The royal family’s 73-year lease with the Crown Estate, which he signed in 2003, states that he has the responsibility to ‘repair, renovate, maintain, clean and maintain and rebuild where necessary’.
This includes repainting the external walls every five years from 2008 with ‘two coats of paint’ and redecorating the inside every seven years from 2010.
The royal family’s 73-year lease with the Crown Estate of Windsor Royal Lodge (pictured) states that he has the responsibility to ‘repair, renovate, maintain, clean and maintain and rebuild where necessary’ the home .
The disgraced Duke of York was said to have been completed last year, but photos of the building show the brickwork visible beneath peeling paint on the royal estate
A friend of King Charles claims he has threatened to cut ties with Prince Andrew if the Duke continues to refuse to leave the Royal Lodge for his new home at Frogmore Cottage. Pictured: The brothers at a Thanksgiving service celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012
This means that the exterior finishing should have been completed last year, while the interior work would take place this year.
The document – that has been seen by The times – prescribes that he must ‘paint, polish, decorate and otherwise treat the interior walls of the building with at least two coats of paint’.
Beatrice’s husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi – the CEO of a real estate, interior and design company – is said to have tried to ‘yank’ Andrew and Fergie’s crazy design tastes and collecting habits into ‘something much more manageable’.
Andrew signed the lease, paying £250 a week and agreeing to maintain the huge property.
Last year, claims emerged that Andrew could not meet the £400,000-a-year maintenance of Royal Lodge, which is believed to be worth £30 million.
It was reported that the Duke was told he would have to leave the property.
The newspaper reports that the property appears to have always been a money pit, with a few bomb explosions nearby during the Second World War could have disrupted the earthworks.
He was granted a ‘stay of execution’, it was reported in October, after striking a deal with the king to carry out repair work on the 19th-century listed building.
The exterior finishing was said to have been completed last year, while the interior work will take place this year.
The beautiful royal estate is nestled among trees and woodlands in the heart of Windsor Park, just three miles south of Windsor Castle
Andrew was given a ‘stay of execution’, it was reported in October, after striking a deal with the king to carry out repair work on the 19th-century Grade II listed building
But now a friend of King Charles claims he has threatened to cut ties with Prince Andrew if the Duke continues to refuse to leave the Royal Lodge for his new home at Frogmore Cottage.
The King has long been trying to get his brother – who has no apparent source of income – to leave the Windsor mansion, amid rumors that the Prince of Wales is keen to move into the property to fulfill his role as heir apparent. to reflect.
While sources close to the king say he is willing to pay for his brother to live comfortably with his private money from the Duchy of Lancaster, the level of funding must be appropriate.
A friend of the King told The Times: ‘Unfortunately, if Andrew refuses to leave within a reasonable timeframe, the King may be forced to reassess the entire support package he is offering and the Duke would have to fund the lion’s share of the support. he has to pay for his security, housing and lifestyle all by himself – which, given the amounts involved, is highly unlikely in the long term.
‘Everyone is aware of his well-being and has his best interests at heart, but there are limits to patience and tolerance.’
Following the King’s continued attempts to expel Andrew from Royal Lodge, a friend said: ‘As things stand, life in Royal Lodge will become increasingly cold and uncomfortable for the Duke.’
Andrew downsizing to live at Frogmore Cottage would make significant savings, with friends of the King saying he would continue to pay for mobile security but would not have to provide static security for the building.
Those with knowledge of Frogmore Cottage – where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex used to live – said it is in good condition thanks to the work Harry and Meghan carried out before their move to the US.
Andrew reportedly refused to leave the property, leaving King Charles tired and frustrated
Frogmore Cottage (pictured), previously occupied by Prince Harry and Meghan, was suggested as a possible alternative, but the Duke does not want to move
Recent photos have revealed the state of Prince Andrew’s 30-room mansion, which has fallen into disrepair amid an ongoing feud between the Duke and Charles.
Andrew first moved into the large mansion in 2004 and now lives there with his ex-wife Sarah.
It was reported that Andrew, who was forced to give up his royal duties due to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, may receive a cut to his £249,000 royal allowance, making it difficult for the Duke to keep his promises.
He reportedly told his friends that such a drastic change in his finances would mean he would not be able to cover the costs of the estate.
Despite his possible money worries, sources close to the duke said in January: ‘Andrew isn’t going anywhere. He has a cast iron lease.”
The Mail revealed last year that the King had offered his younger brother a more modest property, but Andrew reportedly felt this was a ‘demotion’ too far.
The Royal Lodge is located in the heart of Windsor Park, three miles south of Windsor Castle and is part of the Crown Estate.