HE may live in a sprawling £30million mansion, but Royal Lodge does come with “struggles” for Prince Andrew.
The disgraced Duke of York, 64, currently resides at the Windsor Great Park lodging in Berkshire, which boasts 30 rooms, a swimming pool and large grounds.
While the house looks impressive from first glance, it is said to "need extensive repairs", thought to be about £400,000 a year.
The shamed Duke has reportedly poured £7.5million into the renovation and upkeep of Royal Lodge in the past, but sources say he cannot continue to meet the bill.
The Sun reported last year the home currently needs an estimated £2million in repairs.
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Recent photos showed the Stucco-like outside of the mansion falling away and mould growing on it.
Prince Andrew lost his public funding when he quit as a working royal over sex abuse allegations and also stands to lose Royal Lodge which he shares with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York.
As part of losing his public funding, he also lost his £3million a year taxpayer-funded Metropolitan Police protection, which were replaced by private security officers.
The monarch is said to be increasingly unwilling to keep paying out of his own pocket to fund Andrew's lavish lifestyle - and has threatened to withdraw £4million-plus a year that he reportedly provides.
Royals experts say Andrew has stubbornly clung onto his HRH title, which he is allowed to use in private, while hobnobbing with rich pals like billionaire Johan Eliasch, who he was spotted with ahead of the release of Netflix drama Scoop.
FROGMORE REFUSAL
The Sun exclusively revealed Andrew had rejected the chance to move into Frogmore Cottage last year after Harry and Meghan were served with eviction.
Despite mounting costs, he is still refusing to budge - pointing out that he is in possession of a 75-year lease - with insiders branding the stand-off the "siege of Royal Lodge".
A friend told The Times: "It can be done tidily or untidily. It can be done with grace and dignity or it can be forced upon him. It’s all rather sad.
"But as things stand, life at Royal Lodge is set to become increasingly cold and uncomfortable for the duke.
"The only question now is when he will realise that he has become a prisoner of his own pride - and that handing back the keys will afford him far greater comfort, and the continued support of his family."
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EUGE DEAL
It has been reported that Prince Andrew plans to bequeath the lease of Royal Lodge to his two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, after his death.
Podcaster Svar Nanan-Sen said on The Royal Record podcast: "One report this week discussed that a possible motivation for Andrew is holding out is that he sees the Royal Lodge as part of Beatrice and Eugenie's inheritance.
"The lease has got another 54 years on it to go, Andrew is 64, and so there is very much the possibility that at some point it could pass on to his daughters."
According to GB News royal correspondent Cameron Walker Beatrice and Eugenie "do not want Royal Lodge".
Their two children, Princess Beatrice, 35, and Princess Eugenie, 34, live with their respective husbands, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 40, and Jack Brooksbank, 38, and kids.
EXPENSIVE STAFF
Ingrid added that life at Royal Lodge is “pretty grand”, and Prince Andrew has staff at his beck and call.
The royal expert added that when you arrive “a butler opens the door and offers guests refreshments and there is a cook and housekeeper.”
The Duke of York also requires staff for the outside of Royal Lodge, which is not a surprise given the home sits within 98 acres of grounds.
Ingrid added: “The grounds are well tended and unless Andrew has taken up gardening would demand the attention of at least one full time gardener.”
Real estate expert and founder of Bramlett Residential Eric Bramlett claims maintaining and upkeeping royal residences is a costly and tricky business.
He told Fabulous: “Maintaining a historic royal residence is an enormous undertaking that requires a full team of experts working tirelessly year-round.
“One of the biggest challenges with these historic royal residences is the exceptional regulatory hurdles.
“There are strict rules around what updates or changes can be made.
“Architects and designers then spend several hundred hours carefully planning any alterations and selecting appropriate materials that align with preservation standards.
“After that, you have highly skilled tradespeople like plasterers, carpenters, upholsterers and specialist painters devoting hundreds more hours to meticulously executing the restoration plans.
“You have to jump through a ton of hoops getting approvals for even minor alterations.
“Sourcing appropriate materials, tools and skilled craftspeople capable of working on centuries-old building materials and antique furniture is no easy feat either.”
He added that the “costs are “substantial” and renovations are a “labour of love for the staff committed to the work.”
