Prince Andrew's fight to keep Royal Lodge could force Crown to start removing valuables

The ongoing saga surrounding residence at the Lodge in Windsor is far from over, with Royal commentators predicting further complications for the embattled Royal. On the Palace Confidential podcast, Robert Hardman, author of a biography on , hinted that Prince Andrew’s grip on his plush Windsor accommodation may be tenuous, despite his intentions to stay put.

Hardman pointed out: "The King is very conscious that [The Lodge] is not entirely in his gift. It's a property and the Crown Estate ultimately answers to the government. The King can't evict him, and wouldn't want to anyway."

Despite apparently securing the funds to remain at the there are growing concerns over whether the Duke of York can upkeep it to a satisfactory standard, which might invite new problems. As Hardman remarked: "The Royal Collection, which owns quite a lot of the treasures inside there, may say: 'Well, we can't be confident that this place is safe anymore,' and they'll start taking the paintings and some of the furniture away."

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According to the Hardman underscored the contentious nature of Prince Andrew’s claim over the Grade II listed property, valued at about £30 million, stressing its historical inhabitancy by royals actively serving the nation. He observed: "That's a house that has always belonged to someone who performs public duties on behalf of the nation. It always was when George the Sixth lived there, when Queen Mother lived there, and Prince Andrew to begin with."

"He was performing public duties and therefore there was an obligation by the state to look after that property, to make sure it was secure. Now [Andrew] has got no public life, no prospect of a public life, and I think that does bring into question what he's still doing in a place that was a home for many years of a sovereign."

In Robert's book, it is highlighted that Prince Andrew's financial situation is somewhat opaque. A Palace insider is quoted: "He claims to have found other sources of income related to his contacts in international trade, sufficient to cover all his costs – which would be a welcome outcome for all parties if that turns out to be the case. But as to whether this funding can be relied upon in the long term is another matter."

The author speculates staying in the grand 30-room residence is now a matter of pride for Andrew.

"Someone said to me the other day, he's got nothing else," Robert commented further. "He's got no public life. He has no public role. And he's clearly devoted to this home, and he likes being there. So, if he can make it work, he's going to try."