Charles 'has bold £1m-a-year plan for Royal Lodge once he's kicked out Andrew'

29 June 2024 , 20:33

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King Charles has plans to rent out the Royal Lodge for £1m a year (Image: REX/Shutterstock)

King Charles allegedly has a bold new use for the Royal Lodge once Prince Andrew has been kicked out of the property.

The monarch is said to want more commercial revenue coming in to the Royal Family and part of that comes from the home of the Duke of York. It is believed he is unwilling to leave the property and has rejected alternate accommodations as he remains reliant on a "cast-iron lease".

But King Charles could cut off the £4million a year which the Duke receives and sources say the Prince will eventually budge, leaving the Royal Lodge behind. An insider has claimed the lodge will be handed back to the Crown Estates with much-needed repairs to follow. The lodge could be rented out at £1million a year when Prince Andrew leaves the lodge.

Prince Andrew is refusing to leave the Royal Lodge (AFP via Getty Images)

An insider reportedly told The Sun: "It makes sense for Royal Lodge to be handed back to Crown Estates, which can pay for the much-needed repairs and renovations. It could then be rented to earn money for them, the King’s coffers and the country rather than being a drain on everyone’s resources."

A property expert added: "Rental of £1million a year is not far-fetched for a house of that size with incredible royal connections." The King had reportedly turned up the heat on the disgraced Duke earlier this month following claims he could not meet the £400,000-a-year upkeep. But he has refused to go and has explored the option of leasing the lodge to his ex-wife Fergie, or daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

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One insider told The Mirror: "The issue with Royal Lodge is it is going to cost an awful lot of money to renovate and no one is any wiser as to how the Duke will be able to meet those expenses.

"It's very difficult to see why Beatrice or Eugenie would want the burden of taking on the lease when they would be far better investing any money they have where they would possibly get a return. That certainly wouldn't happen with Royal Lodge so one may wonder what the point of Andrew staying there is other than vanity."

The Mirror has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.

Ewan Gleadow