Prince Andrew Demands Frogmore Cottage as He Prepares to Leave Royal Lodge

Prince Andrew Albert Christian Edward, once the Duke of York, is preparing to leave his taxpayer-funded home at Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park — but not without conditions. According to insiders speaking to The Sun, he’s demanded the keys to Frogmore Cottage, the former home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, in exchange for vacating the 30-bedroom estate he’s occupied since 2003. The twist? He hasn’t paid rent in over two decades. And now, with public pressure mounting and King Charles III’s patience wearing thin, the monarchy’s most controversial royal is negotiating his exit — not with humility, but with a shopping list.

Why Royal Lodge Can’t Be Forced Out

Here’s the thing: Buckingham Palace can’t evict Prince Andrew. Not legally. Not yet. His lease, signed in 2003 under Queen Elizabeth II, runs until 2078. It was granted with a ‘peppercorn rent’ — a nominal £1 million paid upfront, effectively meaning he’s lived rent-free for 21 years. The property, nestled in the 2,000-acre Windsor Great Park, has been maintained at public expense. That’s why the outcry has grown louder since Virginia Giuffre’s memoir, Nobody’s Girl, dropped last year, reigniting public fury over his ties to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. The £12 million settlement he paid Giuffre in 2022 didn’t quiet the noise. It amplified it.

Frogmore Cottage: A Symbol of Royal Privilege

Frogmore Cottage, a Grade II-listed Georgian property tucked inside Windsor Home Park, is more than just a house. It’s a statement. Built in the 1800s and renovated in 2020 at a cost of £2.4 million, it was a wedding gift from Queen Elizabeth to Harry and Meghan. They lived there from 2019 to 2020 before relocating to California. The renovation trimmed the original 10 bedrooms to five — plus a nursery, two orangeries, a yoga studio, and a vegetable garden. It was designed for a young, modern family. Now, it’s being eyed by a 64-year-old prince with a tarnished reputation. The Crown Estate, which manages royal properties, would need to approve a new rental agreement. That means public scrutiny. And that’s exactly what Andrew’s team is betting won’t happen.

Sarah Ferguson’s Request: Adelaide Cottage

While Andrew wants Frogmore, his ex-wife, Sarah Margaret Ferguson, is asking for something even more delicate: Adelaide Cottage. The four-bedroom stucco dwelling, built in 1831 and described by Historic England as ‘picturesque,’ is currently home to Prince William, Catherine Middleton, and their three children. Sources say William and Kate are scheduled to move out within the next month — possibly to a larger estate nearby — opening the door for Ferguson. She’s lived at Royal Lodge with Andrew for nearly 20 years. The idea of her moving into a home currently occupied by the future king? It’s not just awkward. It’s politically explosive.

Why This Matters Beyond Real Estate

This isn’t about square footage. It’s about perception. The monarchy has spent years trying to distance itself from Andrew’s scandal. His title was stripped. His public duties removed. His name dropped from official websites. But letting him move into a property once gifted to Harry and Meghan — and then giving Ferguson a spot next door to the heir to the throne — looks like a reward, not a consequence. The Crown Estate’s approval process will be watched closely. If the public finds out the rent is still below market rate — or worse, free — the backlash could rival the one that followed Andrew’s 2019 BBC interview.

What’s the Timeline?

The pieces are moving fast. William and Kate’s move is imminent. Frogmore Cottage sits empty, recently renovated and ready. Andrew’s lease at Royal Lodge remains legally binding — but politically untenable. Sources say negotiations are underway. If the Crown Estate agrees to lease Frogmore to Andrew, it will be under a new, transparent contract — one that could include rent, maintenance fees, and public reporting. But will it? That’s the question. The last time this option was offered, in 2023, Andrew turned it down. Now? He’s asking. Why? Because he knows his time at Royal Lodge is over — and he’s not leaving empty-handed.

Historical Context: The Royal Housing Game

Royal residences aren’t just homes. They’re power symbols. The Crown Estate owns over 140,000 hectares of land and 300 properties, including palaces, castles, and cottages — all managed for the benefit of the public purse. But historically, senior royals have lived in these properties rent-free. Prince Philip lived at Frogmore House for decades. Princess Margaret had a suite at Kensington Palace. The difference now? The public is watching. And they’re angry. The last decade has seen a dramatic shift in how the monarchy is funded. The Sovereign Grant — which pays for royal duties — rose to £86.3 million in 2023-24. Every pound spent on housing a disgraced royal is a pound that fuels distrust.

What’s Next?

Parliamentary committees are already reviewing royal property use. The Treasury has been asked to audit all non-rented royal residences. If Andrew moves into Frogmore Cottage, expect a formal parliamentary inquiry. The Crown Estate may be forced to publish the terms of his new lease. And if the rent is still too low? The public won’t just tweet. They’ll protest.