Prince Andrew’s ‘exit route from Royal Lodge to Frogmore Cottage’ is ‘ready to go’

Prince Andrew is said to have been given an exit route to Frogmore Cottage in a move likened to ‘being banished to the garden shed’.

The prince is currently living at Royal Lodge, a much larger residence, as he lies low amid the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking scandal.  

The former Duke of York is reportedly coming under pressure from King Charles to leave the 31-room Georgian mansion in Windsor, where he has not paid rent for 22 years. 

Decorators and other workers have been seen at the cottage, which lies six miles away, around the clock in recent weeks, heightening speculation that a move is imminent.  

The Grade II-listed residence was previously used by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle before they officially vacated it in 2023.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent £2.4 million refurbishing the property four years previously, and no one is thought to have lived there since, apart from Princess Eugenie for a short time during lockdown.  

The renovation was originally covered by taxpayers through the Sovereign Grant before being repaid by Harry.  

A source on the Crown Estate in Windsor said: ‘The cottage is finished and ready for its new tenant, whoever it may be.

‘We’ve always found Prince Andrew to be arrogant and rude, even prior to the Epstein scandal.

‘While Harry and Meghan largely did their own thing, he wanted special treatment, such as having the barriers raised rather than just driving along the road to Windsor Castle. 

‘There was even a bet, before the sex allegations, of a bottle of malt whisky for anyone who could spike his car on a bollard.  

‘It followed an incident when he broke a gate at a deer enclosure next to Royal Lodge after forcing his way through when it was shut. 

‘As for Sarah Ferguson, it is beyond me why his ex-wife is also being talked about as part of the move.’  

The prince, 65, has had his entitlement to his remaining royal privileges called into question after he relinquished his official titles and honours in an announcement on October 17.  

He has been under continued scrutiny over his links to former friend Epstein, a convicted sex offender, and discrepancies in his version of events compared to those of sex trafficking victim Virginia Giuffre, whose book was released last week.  

It has emerged that he has a lease at the Queen Mother’s beloved former home, where Ms Ferguson is also living, until 2078.

Frogmore is ‘bottom of the royal range’

Frogmore Cottage is the ‘shed at the bottom of the garden’ when compared to other royal residences, according to a finance expert.

Islay Robinson, CEO of Enness Global, said: ‘Frogmore Cottage is certainly an impressive property in its own right, with a current market value of around £5 million. The Grade II-listed, 10-bedroom residence was originally built for Queen Charlotte in the early 19th Century and underwent an extensive £2.4 million refurbishment in 2019, including structural works, new utilities, and even £50,000 worth of soundproofing to offset aircraft noise from Heathrow. As a result, the property offers a blend of heritage, privacy, and modern comfort within the secure confines of Windsor’s Frogmore estate.’ 

Adelaide Cottage is also worth an estimated £5 million, while Forest Lodge — the new home of the Prince and Princess of Wales — is valued closer to £16 million, according to Mr Robinson.  

‘Beyond Windsor, the scale becomes even more striking,’ he said.  

‘Clarence House is estimated at £43 million, Sandringham at £60 million, Balmoral at £50 million, and Kensington Palace exceeds £330 million. Buckingham Palace, the jewel in the crown, is valued at an extraordinary £2.5 billion. So while Frogmore Cottage is by no means an ordinary property, Prince Andrew’s potential relocation there would represent a considerable downgrade. The equivalent of being banished to the shed at the bottom of the garden in royal terms.’ 

Ms Ferguson, 66, who has also given up her official titles, has been linked with a move to Adelaide Cottage, in the grounds of Windsor Castle, which would mean the ex-couple would live close to each other. 

A separate source told The Sun: ‘People have been inside Frogmore Cottage working day and night.

‘Over the weekend the lights were on after dark and workmen have been coming and going for weeks. 

‘It shouldn’t need a lot of work done as Harry and Meghan spent £2.4 million on repairs just six years ago and no one has lived there since, apart from the few months Princess ­Eugenie was there during lockdown.’

The King is said by the newspaper to be ‘adamant’ that Andrew must quit the mansion, with Frogmore being part of the discussion.  

The prince’s extensive property wrangles have been thrown into sharp relief by the continued riddle of his former marital home, Sunninghill Park, which lies five miles from the lodge. 

Andrew sold the mansion to a Kazakhstani oligarch almost 20 years ago, and it is thought to have lain empty since, despite the house and grounds being constantly maintained.  

Alongside the shuttered-up appearance on the ground, satellite imagery taken this year shows no vehicles in the grounds, or any other sign of permanent residence. Heavy-duty shutters were drawn over the windows yesterday while security guards chatted outside a gatehouse.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the latest reports.

Metro has approached the Duke of York for comment.  

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