When King Charles evicted the Sussex family from Frogmore Cottage last year, we were told that Charles thought it was wrong for such prime real estate to be sitting there, unoccupied for months at a time, when it could be rented out for profit. It was prime real estate rather suddenly, because before the Sussexes spent millions rehabbing the property, it had been little more than a dilapidated shack in desperate need of extensive repairs. But of course, that whole explanation was a lie – Frogmore is uniquely positioned in a certain security zone on the Windsor estate, which means that it can’t just be rented out to a peasant. Since the Sussexes’ eviction, Frogmore has just been sitting there empty anyway. Charles’s big scheme is somehow convincing Andrew to vacate Royal Lodge and move into Frogmore. So what will happen if and when Andrew does leave Royal Lodge? Everyone has long suspected that Prince William would move into the much grander property. But now palace sources tell the Sun that Charles actually wants to rent out Royal Lodge.
King Charles wants to rent out disgraced brother Prince Andrew’s Royal Lodge home for £1million a year when he finally leaves, we can reveal. The monarch is keen to generate commercial revenue from the mansion when he ousts the Duke of York who is refusing to budge, it is understood. Andrew has rejected other homes offered and is relying on his “cast-iron lease”, which includes a proviso the dilapidated £30million lodge in Windsor Great Park is kept in good order. But sources believe Charles will get Andy to leave. He could even cut off the £4million a year he pays to keep him afloat.
An insider said: “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 said: “Rental of £1million a year is not far-fetched for a house of that size with incredible royal connections.”
A spokesman for the King declined to comment.
Just so we’re clear, the plan is now: get Andrew out of Royal Lodge by hook or by crook, shove him into Frogmore (where he can live free and clear), then have the Crown Estates extensively renovate Royal Lodge, after which – magically! – Prince William will decide that, actually, he wants to live there. The other theory/conspiracy I have is that William is already sort of living in Windsor Castle and that he feels like it will become his permanent home soon enough.
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