It’s genuinely hilarious that Prince William and Prince Andrew didn’t even let King Charles have one full fortnight to bask in his coronation glory. Both William and Andrew called up their friendliest media allies and started leaking sh-t about their separate (but soon-to-be-entangled) dramas about five days after the coronation. William ran to Roya Nikkhah at the Times to talk about what HIS coronation will look like. Meanwhile, Andrew is in the trenches and whining to anyone who will listen that mean old Charles will evict him from his humble Royal Lodge mansion. In addition to chatting with his allies at the Sun and the Mail, Andrew must have also called up Camilla Tominey to talk about how he’s never letting go of his 75-year lease on Royal Lodge. Some highlights:
A 75-year lease: The Duke of York has “no plans to move house” because he has a 75-year lease on Royal Lodge, Windsor. The Daily Telegraph has learned that Prince Andrew intends to honour the terms of the lease he signed on in 2003, which has 50 more years to run.
Refusing to budge: Last night, a source close to the disgraced Duke, 63, distanced him from reports suggesting he “fears the royals may turn off the utilities to get him out”. A friend told the Mail on Sunday that he is in low spirits and “refusing to budge” from the property, which is understood to have been earmarked for the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children. But a source close to the Duke said he did not recognise the claims, adding: “He has a 75-year lease and has no plans to move house.”
King Charles cut his allowance: Earlier this year, the newly-crowned monarch made a cut to this brother’s annual allowance of £249,000, effectively pricing him out of the running costs of the 30-room home. The Duke, who relies on the allowance since he left front-line royal duties in 2019, moved into the Grade-II listed house in Windsor Great Park following the death of the Queen Mother in 2002.
What’s in the lease agreement: The lease agreement required Andrew to carry out, at his own expense, refurbishments estimated at £7.5 million. It also provided for a premium payment of £1 million to the Crown Estate. Under the terms of the agreement, approved by the National Audit Office, the Duke may not benefit financially from any increase in the value of the property as the freehold belongs to the Crown Estate. The leasehold may be assigned only to his widow or his two daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie or a trust established solely for their benefit. If he terminates the lease, the property would revert to the Crown Estate and he would be entitled to compensation for the refurbishment costs incurred up to a maximum of just under £7m, which is reduced annually over the first 25 years, after which no compensation is payable.
Fergie’s flats: Sarah Ferguson purchased a pair of flats costing up to £7m in the heart of Mayfair as a “long-term investment” for her daughters. It is thought she is converting the flats into one home, but a source close to the Duchess said she wasn’t planning to live there with Andrew.
“It also provided for a premium payment of £1 million to the Crown Estate” – meaning what exactly? Andrew “paid” £1 million to the Crown Estate and that’s it? We’ve previously heard that Andrew’s monthly “rent” for Royal Lodge is a tiny fraction of market rate – if Charles wanted to fight his brother, there’s no reason to outright evict him, surely, when Charles could just order the Crown Estate to raise his rent to market rate? That being said, I really do get the feeling that Charles isn’t going to do a damn thing. The whole house switcharoo scheme had one purpose, which was: evict the Sussexes and rob them of the millions they invested in Frogmore Cottage. The cherry on top was offering Frogmore Cottage to Andrew free of charge, which (again) was specifically designed as to cruelly punish the Sussexes. Now that the Sussexes have been evicted, Charles probably will let Andrew stay at Royal Lodge. That is, unless William continues to throw a massive tantrum about how Royal Lodge would be perfect for HIM.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
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- Mike Tindall, Zara Tindall, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Prince Andrew Coronation of King Charles III, May 6th 2023.King Charles III and Camilla the Queen Consort, members of the Royal family and VIP’s arrive at Westminster Abbey for the Coronation service. Pictures by Dan Charit Coronation of King Charles III, May 6th 2023.King Charles III and Camilla the Queen Consort, members of the Royal family and VIP’s arrive at Westminster Abbey for the Coronation service. ;,Image: 774185717, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: -, Model Release: no, Credit line: Unknown / Avalon
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- Prince Andrew departs after the Coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey in London, United Kingdom, on 06 May 2023.,Image: 774200058, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: James Veysey/Shutterstock / Avalon
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- Prince Michael of Kent (L) and Prince Andrew departs The Coronation Service of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey in London, England, UK on Saturday 6 May, 2023.,Image: 774227888, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Please credit photographer and agency when publishing as Justin Ng/UPPA/Avalon., Model Release: no, Credit line: Justin Ng / Avalon
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- Prince Andrew during the Coronation of King Charles III, London, United Kingdom, on 06 May 2023.,Image: 774246840, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: -, Model Release: no, Credit line: Phil Harris / Avalon
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- Duke of York, Prince Andrew, at The Coronation of King Charles III at London”s Westminster Abbey 06 May 2023,Image: 774252265, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: -, Model Release: no, Credit line: Mark Stewart / Avalon
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- WINDSOR, ENGLAND – MAY 07: Prince Andrew, Duke of York during the Coronation Concert on May 07, 2023 in Windsor, England. The Windsor Castle Concert is part of the celebrations of the Coronation of Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as King and Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the other Commonwealth realms that took place at Westminster Abbey yesterday. High-profile performers will entertain members of the royal family and 20,000 guests including 10,000 members of the public.,Image: 774495370, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Leon Neal / Avalon
Never going anywhere. Not sure why in the world KC and Wailliam are pursuing this. KC can’t win and he needs the noise to stop. Wailliam looks like a petulant P*ssant for demanding an incredulous *fifth* house in the midst of one of the worst economic periods in recent history. Never ever before have I been in this weird gross place, but I’m Team Andy on this one. He’s got this hands down…
Right, like I didn’t want to side with this pedo, abusive p.o.s, but W & K really need to touch grass. William is going to be the most self-serving king after Henry the 8th, and I hope everyone leaks everything about him then.
I know … I too lean toward taking Andrew’s side on this fight, and it makes me feel dirty. It’s still shocking to me that everyone in the UK thinks it’s fine to kick the Sussex family out of their home and gift it to a guy who had teen girls provided for him, specifically for sex, on a regular basis. Ick.
If I have to choose one or the other, then I regret to say I would bequeath Peggington and his wife with their fifth house. Do W&K deserve another place to call home? No.
Paedrew should be in jail. He should have gone to trial for what he did to Virginia Guiffre. Jeffrey Epstein definitely introduced him to more young victims. Andrew groped his own daughter while mourning for his mother: https://www.newsweek.com/prince-andrew-interaction-princess-eugenie-raises-eyebrows-online-1741984?amp=1. He is utterly vile and for whatever reason, he’s considered more acceptable to his family than H&M. He definitely should not still be living in cushy surroundings at RL.
@ML I agree 100%. I think you’ve flipped the focus exactly right. If you see fairness of housing situations or greediness of William as the issue, than yeah you side with PA. But, if you reframe this to the issue as fundamentally being should Andrew be allowed to continue living with impunity for his crimes in a luxurious Crown estate? The answer is clearly, unquestionable no. Losing that is the least that should happen to him. That William benefits is really minor from this perspective.
@ML and @LadyE, I think the lease which was signed over 20 years ago really isn’t about whether he should have gone to trial (he should). We all know that’s not going to happen. Ever. He’s contained at Windsor. Why does it matter where he’s contained? Any property there is unearned and he doesn’t deserve it after what he’s done. What does his location change? Nothing.
I agree with Kaiser that he wasn’t ever going to move. This just gave cover for KFC to evict the Sussexes. Mission accomplished. I expect that this will ultimately die down and be completely forgotten.
To be clear, I am with you 100% on the loathing of Paedrow. And surely he should not have anything but a jail cell to live in. My point was that, given his complete lack of scruples and shame (which would lead most to slither away quietly), there really is nothing KC and/or Wailsy can really do to enforce this demand. Short of sending in the palace guards to drag him out (wouldn’t THAT be fun to watch), what will they do that he won’t simply ignore with his gnarly smile? Send him an eviction notice? Sue him? Every possibility is a loud PR nightmare for KC – and in the end he looks ridiculous for having his brother essentially laugh in his – the Crowned King of England’s – face. And William stomping his foot for House 5 continues the embodiment of the churlish spoit brat that swells daily. They’re all best off to just shut it down already so Andrew stops gloating.
I hear you @Saucy&Sassy, but it matters because it matters to him. It would embarrass and shame him to be kicked out of RL. It’s not just any royal estate after all, it’s one of the very grandest. If he won’t ever face justice, won’t ever be held to account, then yes I want him to be embarrassed and treated with no respect socially, including by booting him out of royal lodge. If he didn’t care, then I wouldn’t. But, he does and so it should be taken away from him. William should not have 5 houses or be rewarded for his terrible behavior. But, if it is between the two and must be one or the other, Andrew is way in front, not even a contest.
I guess they can take his money away and let it fall down around him…
Toss the raping pedophile in Nott Cot. I don’t care if royal lodge burns down. He doesn’t get to live in luxury unpunished for his vile actions.
The family in-fighting continues on this front with Charles making the big moves (money) and William doing the leaking.
Ironically, Andrew having the utilities shut off because he can’t pay the bill would be the most relatable thing people in Britain might have seen from a royal in decades.
I think Charles and his brother are posturing in public and trying to make some arrangement. Andrew has proven that shame is not going to work ( why would it?).
So after 50 years, does the property revert back to the crown? But if Andrew passes before the 50 years is up; it’s inherited by one of his daughters? But then, they’d still have to give it up once the 50 years is up? Am I understanding this correctly?
Yes that’s right. The queen bought and gave Pedrew another property (a grand house) many years ago, but he ended up selling it to a russian oligark. Who knows where that money went, probably to pay down debts. I guess the queen (or Philip) realised he couldn’t hold on to any money, so they paid for a lease of a crown estate in stead. He’d have a place to live for the rest of his life, but can’t sell it. The only one of the queens children not given his own private property was Edward. He, or his children will have to give up Bagshot when that lease expires.
Edward has a 150 year lease on Bagshot Park! But I doubt his kids and/or future grandkids will want to hold onto such a large and expensive property. It has over a hundred rooms.
Can they sublet?
Did Andy inherit anything from his mother and father? Its all written to sound like the poor thing is destitute and is relying on his brother’s charity and willingness to extend the privileges his mommy granted him. A single man in a huge house he can’t afford, crying because no one else will pay for it. These pathetic brothers deserve each other.
There was a report that Charles inherited everything (possibly for tax or secrecy purposes?)
Philip’s will is not to be released publicly for 100 yrs – My guess is that he would have had more liberty to split up what wealth he had amongst various children (in and out of the marriage with QEII,) and his various mistresses. (which is why it is a state secret… also allowing Andy to continually claim he is destitute and a ward of the state.)
Not only is he NOT leaving RL I suspect he only will return to Royal duties to help out RF due to departure of H and M because nether C nor W believe he has done anything wrong!
Question to the group: Will Harry and Meghan be reimbursed for the money they spent refurbishing Frogmore? Thanks!
I truly feel that including the moving Andrew into Frogmore after kicking H&M out of Frogmore story was all just a cover so as not to make it obvious that they did all of that just to take away Frogmore from H&M as punishment for releasing his “Spare” book. They were never going to move Andrew anywhere.
But Chucky will soon regret taking Frogmore from Harry (& Meghan), because the consequences of that bitter decision will bite him (and Peg) in the ass soon enough.
I wonder if their decision to trash Harry’s Memorial Day wreath and then publish pictures of it in the garbage can in the pouring rain, has bit them in the ass yet? That was a disgustingly appalling act.
*GASP* what??? They did what to the wreath and posted the photos where? God the pettiness….
And that Frogmore eviction gives Andrew every reason not to trust any promises made by KFC3. Because he can point to that and say that’s why he’s not giving up his lease. One is a legal document. One is withdrawn , like the word Consort, at will.
Poor William. He cannot be seen as living in a home/palace smaller than his uncle’s. Even though the other 4-5 he has would add up to one 3xs as grand. And his poor children. They cannot seem to be living on an estate that’s smaller than their classmates’. Why, that might lead them to believe they’re not more important than other people in this life. And we cannot have that. No siree Bob.
You mean that Will-do-nothing and Keen want to take care of the kids? They want more space to see them even less…
I seem to recall reading that William and Kate would like to have Windsor Castle for their family home.
There is no way c&c are letting the mids get a foot in that door! LOL
Andrew got QE to cover him on a lease for 99 years, which she paid for herself in advance.
C, C, W, K all need to move on.
What a bunch of drama queens.
We should all have such rich people problems.
4-6 palaces to choose from but still want more.
F Off!
You know, there is a beautifully renovated house a few block away that I have earmarked for myself as well.
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. They did this to punish and be petty to Harry and Meghan and now they are stuck with playing this game out. They deserve every bit of drama they get.
Since KP staffers read this blog for Kaiser’s stellar advice, here’s some additional advice for K+W.
Why not use K+W personal millions and fix up another home on the Windsor estate? NOT make the public foot the bill? And just to be decent? The wails could build a casita with security for Meghan and Harry to use when they visit?
Since C&C evicted Harry and Meghan for spite, it would be a great way to make Peg look good and it would be the right thing to do after tormenting the Sussexes to flee the country. And it would help the Wails get ahead of the bad press once it comes out through the court cases that Will sold out his brother to the press.
Of course this won’t happen and H+M would have a hard time trusting W+K after everything that’s happened. But they could at least try.
I honestly believe that Charles knew Andrew wouldn’t budge but thought he could hide his inability to control his brother by trying to involve the Sussexes. I think it was hoped that they would kick up a fuss when they got their eviction notice and all eyes would be on them. Instead what happened was the Sussexes said “OK then” and didn’t say anything to anyone. The media only found out when William and/or Andrew went public. None of them can blame the Sussexes for leaking or being difficult. So, the public are now watching Charles going against the wishes of his mother (again) and Prince Peg greedily claiming another home at the expense of the taxpayers.
Why can’t pedo shack up at one of Fergie’s Mayfair flats? Is there not enough room for the teddy bears? Why does one man need so much space?
Chuck (or Cam) should tell Pegs he can’t have RL. If he wants RL, he’ll have to wait until he’s king. The Prince of Wales doesn’t need to live in such splendor, it’s ridiculous.
Between dealing with the Whining WanKs and Raggedy Andy, it’s a wonder C-Rex hasn’t pulled the rest of his hair out. He’d better find a suitable and grander palace for the heir so they can all stop their temper tantrums. Raggedy Andy isn’t going anywhere unless his bro the king offers him a substantial buyout. Fergie for once made a smart purchase so she won’t be homeless.
What is Raggedy Andy doing for income these days?… I suspect he’s gotten his inheritance, allowing him to dig his heels in. But like the monarch and heir, he’s also greedy and stupid. I can’t imagine having to deal with any of them and remaining sane.
They all richly deserve each other. I wonder when the majority of British citizens will decide they don’t deserve the expense of supporting the accidents of birth that are the BRF.
If Chuck really wants to get rid of him, the FBI is still waiting to talk to Andrew.
Meghan and Harry had a lease on their house and had paid millions to make it habitable. Their case is stronger than Andrew’s, but the Brits prefer a pedo to a couple who “deserted” them. Very strange people.