Prince Andrew’s decision to leave Royal Lodge after 22 years comes down to two reasons, a royal expert has claimed.
Speaking to GB News, Royal Commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said the move “lies in the mindset” of the ex-Duke of York, who he says “has a different way of looking at the world”.
The disgraced royal is said to have agreed to move out of Royal Lodge upon the condition that he and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson are given a new house each in Windsor.
Andrew reportedly has his sights set on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s former residence, Frogmore Cottage, with Sarah Ferguson set to become the new tenant at Adelaide Cottage, which Prince William and Princess Kate will soon vacate.
Prince Andrew’s two reasons for vacating Royal Lodge have been exposed by Richard Fitzwilliams
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PA / GB NEWS
Detailing the decision further, Mr Fitzwilliams told GB News: “The answer lies in his mindset, and he has a particular way of looking at the world which is very, very different from those who take a more balanced view of things.
“He’s under terrific pressure. It’s perfectly obvious that despite the cast iron lease, he was going to move from Royal Lodge in one way or another.”
Highlighting that the recent scandal surrounding Prince Andrew has become a “circus”, he added: “A whole variety of questions still have to be answered. Ed Davey is talking about the need for more transparency, and there’s the threat of a parliamentary debate with the Liberal Democrats, that’s coming up.
“And the issue also is the Crown Estate will be asked to explain by the Public Accounts Committee why this was a beneficial arrangement for the taxpayer, obviously it could have been a better one. And of course, there are calls for him to appear in some form to aid the FBI, which he once said he would.
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“And then, of course, the police investigation into what he is alleged to have asked his protection officer to research regarding Virginia Giuffre. The whole thing has become a circus and it’s very, very difficult for the Royal Family to project a serious image whilst all this is continuing.”
Criticising the alleged exchange for “two homes” so that Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson can “live apart” for the first time in 18 years, Mr Fitzwilliams said: “And two homes, I mean, it’s the way he thinks.
“They’re supposed to be the happiest divorced couple in the world according to Sarah Ferguson. In my opinion, it’s greed and entitlement, that’s what it’s about.”
Casting doubt on King Charles granting the double home exchange, the royal commentator claimed it is something “that the Royal Family certainly won’t go along with”.
Mr Fitzwilliams told GB News that the Royal Family will ‘not go along with’ Prince Andrew moving to Frogmore Cottage
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GB NEWS
He concluded: “One doesn’t know who he takes advice from, but the point is, it’s just simply not going to happen. The King is not, I’m sure, going to allow that.
“Two homes and they’re more or less living round the corner from each other. It’s a matter of convenience for them, but it’s most certainly not something that the public, the parliament, the Royal Family will go along with.
“Their activities, the historic state visit to the Vatican where the King prayed with Pope Leo and President Zelensky’s ceremonial welcome, all of this is starting to be overshadowed.”
Andrew holds a lease on Royal Lodge until 2078, having made an initial payment of £1million for the residency and contributing £7.5million towards renovations finalised in 2005, according to a National Audit Office report.