Prince Andrew's Royal Lodge falls into disrepair amid financial cuts

Prince Andrew's residence at Royal Lodge, located in Windsor, has increasingly fallen into disrepair. Notable for its 30 rooms, the mansion exhibits extensive issues such as cracks and black mould that reflect the lack of adequate maintenance. This deterioration comes at a time when King Charles has taken decisive financial steps, impacting his younger brother's annual personal allowance significantly, believed to be around £1 million. With the King having recently severed funding for Andrew's private security as well, these actions underscore the shift in the royal family's approach to financial burdens associated with Andrew. A new biography by royal writer Robert Hardman sheds light on these developments, detailing that Andrew has been given a strict deadline by the monarchy to demonstrate he can handle repair costs estimated to exceed £2 million. The conditions tied to his lease stipulate that he is responsible for not only the maintenance but also extensive repairs, including interior decoration every seven years and exterior paint applications every five years. Despite having occupied Royal Lodge since 2004, claims of Andrew's financial struggle to maintain the property and lifestyle have surfaced repeatedly. The pressure on him to find funds looms large, as the King has consistently expressed a desire for Andrew to vacate the expansive estate. The situation marks a crucial crossroads for the Duke, reinforcing the ongoing implications of his reduced status within the monarchy. Looking back, Royal Lodge holds a storied past, having been used by members of the royal family since it was bequeathed to the Duke of York in 1931. Yet now, the future of this historic residence hangs in the balance as Andrew faces financial and personal upheaval.