Prince Andrew and King Charles have been going back and forth about Royal Lodge for over a year now, and it seems like they may be getting closer to a resolution, but that doesn’t necessarily mean both men will be happy with the outcome.
Andrew, who was asked to move to Frogmore Cottage, has been advised by former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond to accept the “sensible” proposal and relocate to a residence within his means.
As the debate heats up, Terry Fisher, CEO of We Buy Any Home, weighed in during an interview with OK!
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Andrew has been living at Royal Lodge since 2004 and has a 75-year lease. The royal residence was left to him by the Queen Mother, and he would like to pass the lease onto his daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, but according to Fisher, “an inheritance isn’t guranteed.”
He added: “Because Royal Lodge is part of the Crown Estate, the final decision over succession or lease assignment would typically require Crown Estate approval, and possibly the King’s assent.”
Fisher also noted the potential outcomes if Andrew were to leave Royal Lodge, saying: “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.”
He added: “King Charles, as the head of the royal household, would have a significant say in this decision. While he doesn’t directly control Crown Estate properties, he can certainly influence who lives in them.”
“This implies that if Charles has other plans for Royal Lodge, he could stop it from being passed on to Andrew’s daughters. Ultimately, any changes to the lease terms would need to be agreed upon with the Crown Estate and possibly influenced by the King’s vision for future Royal residences.”
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Fisher, referring to the potential consequences of Andrew’s failure to maintain the property, said: “The Crown Estate may expect Royal Lodge to remain in a condition befitting its heritage status, so failing to meet these standards could lead to interventions, possibly even lease renegotiations if the property’s preservation comes into question.”
As for the future of the royal residence, it appears that Charles will have the final say. Terry explained: “Given the property’s connection to the Crown Estate, Charles could indeed influence whether Royal Lodge passes to Beatrice and Eugenie.”
Fisher explanded on how the lease works, he said: “While Andrew may wish for his daughters to inherit the lease, the final say over who occupies Crown properties often involves the monarch’s guidance or approval.
He added: “Charles has a strategic view on royal residences, and if his vision doesn’t align with Andrew’s wishes, he could recommend the Crown Estate consider alternative uses or residents.”
“Historically, Crown Estate properties like Royal Lodge aren’t automatically inherited like privately-owned estates. If Charles envisions Royal Lodge serving a different purpose within the family, he could effectively block the transfer by aligning with Crown Estate protocols.”
