Prince Andrew faces £1million bill for urgent works to crumbling mansion

‘Final nail in the coffin’ for Prince Andrew in Royal Lodge row with King Charles

GB NEWS
Ed Griffiths

By Ed Griffiths


Published: 01/02/2025

- 08:56

The Duke of York continues to share Royal Lodge with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson

Prince Andrew faces a £1million bill for urgent repairs to his 30-room Royal Lodge mansion after inspections revealed it is in "desperate" need of maintenance.

The Duke of York, 64, has been warned the Grade II listed property, valued at around £30million, is at risk of "irrevocable decay" if essential works are not carried out.


Royal sources have revealed that talks between Andrew and the Crown Estate about the repairs have reached a deadlock.

Recent photographs show the residence in a dire state, with large cracks in the masonry, peeling plaster and discoloured paint affecting both the main house and staff quarters.

Prince Andrew

Prince Andrew faces a £1million bill for urgent repairs to his 30-room Royal Lodge mansion after inspections revealed it is in "desperate" need of maintenance

Getty

The property's condition has deteriorated significantly since 2019, with increasing levels of damp and mould both inside and outside the buildings.

The flat roof of the main structure faces potential collapse after 20 years of neglect, causing extensive damp problems throughout the property.

Local building firms estimate £600,000 will be needed to address the damp issues, fill large cracks and re-render the exterior.

Scaffolding requirements alone are substantial, with local firm BCD Scaffolding estimating costs of £200,000 for a year-long installation.

Royal LodgeRoyal Lodge is located on the Windsor EstateGetty

Interior repairs could add at least another £250,000 to the bill, with sources describing the inside as "full of damp".

The Duke previously spent £7.5million on renovations when he moved in 20 years ago, agreeing to meet all future maintenance costs.

Inspections conducted over the past two summers highlighted the urgent need for roof repairs, damp proofing and plaster repair across the entire mansion.

Andrew has agreed to spend £200,000 on a new roof following pressure from King Charles.

Prince AndrewPrince Andrew stepped back from royal duties in 2019PA

Andrew's 75-year lease on Royal Lodge began in August 2003, following the death of the Queen Mother.

The Duke has insisted he has a "cast iron lease" until 2078, which he intends to fulfil despite questions surrounding his finances.

Andrew recently rejected an offer from King Charles to downsize to the smaller four-bedroom Frogmore Cottage, formerly occupied by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, in a bid to cut royal costs.

King Charles axed his security and £1million personal allowance, which the prince has relied on since stepping back from public duties in 2019 following public backlash from his infamous Newsnight interview.

The Duke of York continues to share Royal Lodge with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.

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