Prince Andrew, ex-wife reportedly eye separate homes
According to media reports, Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson agreed to leave their home in the Royal Lodge in exchange for two separate residences.
King Charles’ brother is said to be talking to the monarch’s representatives about voluntarily leaving the Royal Lodge following anger over the “peppercorn” rent of the 30-room mansion where he has lived for more than 20 years.
An anonymous source told The Sun newspaper that Andrew wants Frogmore Cottage, the former home of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, while Sarah could move to Adelaide Cottage after it is vacated by the Prince and Princess of Wales next month.
William, Kate and their children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – are living in an eight-bedroom, World War II mansion in Windsor Great Park. They will move into Forest Lodge, a Grade I listed residence.
A friend of Andrew and Sarah reportedly told The Sun: “No one is sure yet how things will develop at the Palace. Andy wants to leave but these are his demands.”
“He is realistic and knows the writing is on the wall and his time at Royal Lodge is up. If he has to go, he has asked for Frogmore Cottage.
“Amazingly, Sarah said she wanted Adelaide Cottage.
“Sarah and Andy have lived together at Royal Lodge since 2008, despite being divorced and still considered a married couple.
“It’s incredible that they’re willing to go their separate ways. But it shows that they’ve been under a lot of pressure this year and need a break from each other. This is a new start for both of them.”
The source also told The Sun that the couple had their sights set on two properties rather than one, as Frogmore Cottage would be “too small” for both Andrew and Sarah.
“Frogmore Cottage is too small for both of them and Adelaide Cottage is just around the corner so they can see each other whenever they want,” the source told the paper.
“They both have places where their daughters, Eugenie and Beatrice, and their families can visit.”
The King is said to have encouraged his younger brother, who had long lived with Sarah at Royal Lodge, to move out.
Charles reportedly first offered Frogmore Cottage to Andrew in January 2023 after Harry and Meghan moved in, but the former duke turned it down.
The Sun said friends of the couple also noted that Sarah “felt she deserved the royal house to spend her years with.”
Following allegations that he sexually assaulted Virginia Giuffre, Andrew sought to draw a line in the years-long controversy by giving up the dukedom and other honors ahead of the posthumous publication of Giuffre’s memoirs earlier this month.
But the prince, who has vehemently denied the allegations, has instead faced criticism focusing on the property where he has lived virtually rent-free since 2003.
Obstacles to reaching a deal include where Andrew, eighth in line to the throne, will live and what financial compensation he will receive for the money he spends renovating the house.
The government has so far refused to allocate time in the House of Commons for MPs to discuss Andrew’s case because the royal family wants parliament to focus on “important issues”.
However, on days when ministers cannot control the parliamentary calendar, this issue may come to the fore.
