Prince Andrew Secures Royal Lodge But Future for Princess Beatrice and Eugenie ‘Isn’t Guaranteed’
Prince Andrew has managed to retain his residence at the Royal Lodge after demonstrating he has gathered sufficient funds from “legitimate sources” amid ongoing disputes with his brother, King Charles. However, despite securing his stay for now, his concerns over the future of the 30-room mansion are far from over, as King Charles retains the ultimate authority over the property.
Reports indicate that Prince Andrew had intended to keep the Royal Lodge as a family residence, hoping to pass it down to his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. However, a UK property expert cautions that Andrew’s plans may not be entirely within his control. “While it’s reported that Prince Andrew has a 75-year lease on Royal Lodge, the ability to pass this property to Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie as an inheritance isn’t guaranteed,” Terry Fisher, the chief executive of one of the UK’s leading property sales companies, told The Mirror.
Fisher explained that because the Royal Lodge is part of the Crown Estate, any decisions about succession or lease assignment would require approval from both the Crown Estate and potentially even King Charles himself. “If Andrew were to vacate the property, either by choice or by circumstances, the Crown Estate and King Charles could choose to end the lease, assign it to another royal, or even open it up for new arrangements within the Royal Family,” Fisher stated.
As the head of the royal household, King Charles wields significant influence over royal properties, including those within Windsor, such as the Royal Lodge. Should the king have alternative plans for the estate, he “could prevent it from being passed on to Andrew’s daughters,” Fisher noted.
The update on Prince Andrew’s residential status comes in the wake of financial adjustments from King Charles, who had previously cut off Andrew’s £1 million ($1.3 million) personal allowance from the Privy Purse. Despite this, Andrew was able to provide documentation showing an income of approximately £3 million per year, which the Keeper of the Privy Purse, Sir Michael Stevens, confirmed came from legitimate sources.
For now, Andrew has successfully secured his residence at the Royal Lodge. However, the long-term fate of the property—and whether it can be inherited by Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie—ultimately depends on King Charles’s future decisions and the policies of the Crown Estate. With the monarch holding the power to assign properties within the royal family, any change in his plans could impact the future of Royal Lodge and the legacy Prince Andrew hopes to leave for his daughters.