Where could Prince Andrew live if he leaves Royal Lodge?

As Prince Andrew faces increasing pressure to leave Royal Lodge, speculation inevitably turns to where he could go next.

Palace sources have claimed that no serious search for alternative properties is under way, given the Prince has not yet agreed to leave.

Prince Andrew is facing increasing pressure to leave Royal Lodge which is the former home of the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

He signed a 75-year lease in 2003 after paying an initial down-payment of £1 million ($2 million), and a promise – which he kept – to spend £7.5 million on renovations. The property, which includes extensive grounds and eight cottages, is worth at least £30 million ($60 million).

Prince Andrew moved into Royal Lodge, former home of the late Queen Mother, following her death in 2002.

There are serious questions over how the Prince can afford its annual upkeep, estimated at £600,000 a year, on top of staff to maintain the house’s fabric and gardens.

Prince Andrew signed a 75-year lease for Royal Lodge in 2003.Credit: AP

Under terms of his lease, he must voluntarily give up the house – and then, even so, the Crown Estate may have to pay him back some of the money he invested in refurbishing it.

If and when the time comes, these are some possible locations for Andrew’s future home.

Windsor: Frogmore Cottage

The former home of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who oversaw its refurbishment before they left the royal family, Frogmore Cottage is understood to have been offered to Andrew.

Part of the Crown Estate, it would still require a rental agreement but no major renovation costs.

Frogmore Cottage in Windsor. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex oversaw its refurbishment before they left the royal family.Credit: Alamy

Andrew has not accepted the offer to move in there, but it would keep him in Windsor, his preferred location, which allows him to maintain his schedule of riding and seeing his family.

It would keep the prince and his finances under a degree of public scrutiny, and carries the weight of the Sussex name: the prince is unlikely to want to be seen to live in a house so associated with “Megxit”, and which is so much smaller than Royal Lodge.

Prince William has indicated that Windsor will become the centre of the royal court in his future reign, and the proximity of Andrew, who is not a working royal, might prove a challenge.

Sandringham: Wood Farm

Part of the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, and where Prince Philip spent much of his retirement, the ordinary – by royal standards – house of Wood Farm has several things going for it.

It is in the grounds of a private residence, sheltering it both from public scrutiny and the photographers who sometimes catch Andrew out and about in Windsor.

An aerial view of Wood Farm, which is on the Sandringham Estate.Credit: Archant

It has some dignity, owing to its association with Prince Philip, and would be a statement of intent about living a less extravagant lifestyle.

In reality, it would be a significant downgrade from Royal Lodge and one Andrew would be likely to resist.

There may be other options for a new home in Sandringham but – as with all royal residences and private estates – many are occupied by staff.

Balmoral: Craigowan Lodge

The seven-bedroom royal cottage at Balmoral, within walking distance of a nine-hole golf course, is well known to Andrew and his former wife, who stayed there this summer.

Out of the way in the Scottish Highlands, and on a private estate, it too would offer seclusion and a chance to spend time far from the public eye.

Craigowan Lodge, in the Scottish Highlands, has seven bedrooms.Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

However, Andrew does not want to be too distant from his current location and family.

The Scottish National Party has led the way in pressuring parliament to legislate to remove his titles, and there could be unwelcome local backlash for the royal family should he be effectively banished there.

Buckingham Palace

The £369 million refurbishment of Buckingham Palace is nearing its end, bringing with it the potential for members of the royal family to move themselves or their offices back in.

No working member of the royal family has indicated they wish to do so, with even the King and Queen content to stay at Clarence House while using “BP” as “monarchy HQ”.

The refurbishment of Buckingham Palace is nearing its end, which may allow members of the royal family to return.Credit: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Andrew, who once lived there, would have plenty of room and security, but the optics of installing him in the most famous royal home of all could be disastrous.

Abroad

Andrew has plenty of overseas connections, some of which have contributed to his downfall.

He is said to maintain contacts in the Middle East, and was this week reported to have access to a mansion in Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi could be a landing spot for the prince.Credit: iStock

He has previously had a ski chalet in Verbier in the Swiss alps, finally sold in 2022 for about £19 million.

Living overseas would give welcome distance from the working royal family.

But it would likely leave him reliant on benefactors, or finding a new source of significant income, to pay for the lifestyle to which he has become accustomed.

While it would help in the short term for the royal family to be able to put distance between themselves and Prince Andrew, the consequences in the long term – as he fends for himself – may be far more damaging.

This article was originally published by The Telegraph. Reproduced with permission.