Buckingham Palace is reportedly facing a major internal crisis as the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, has laid down a set of extraordinary financial demands in exchange for leaving his current home. The disgraced royal, who was stripped of his military titles and patronages, is embroiled in a tense standoff over his eviction from the 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor.
The Staggering £75 Million Demand
According to insider reports, Prince Andrew is asking for a jaw-dropping sum of £75 million merely to "consider" moving out of the royal residence. This figure is seen as an opening gambit in difficult negotiations that are said to be progressing at a snail's pace. Friends of the Duke claim he feels he has complied with all requests made of him and now believes he deserves substantial compensation for relinquishing what is considered one of England's most prestigious homes.
A New Mansion and Full Royal Entourage
Beyond the massive cash demand, Prince Andrew's conditions include being provided with a brand new mansion on the Sandringham Estate. The property is specified to have six to seven bedrooms. Furthermore, he insists on a complete household staff to maintain the property and his lifestyle. This requested staff includes a dedicated cook, gardener, housekeeper, driver, and crucially, continued police protection.
The demand for a new home at Sandringham is particularly significant. Sandringham is the King's private estate in Norfolk, and granting a residence there would signal a level of ongoing royal support and proximity that many critics would find controversial.
A Palace in Uproar and Stalled Negotiations
The audacious demands have caused considerable consternation within palace circles, as King Charles III seeks to streamline the monarchy and reduce costs. The monarch's vision for a smaller, more efficient royal family is directly at odds with his brother's expensive expectations.
Negotiations between Andrew's representatives and the King's team are described as crawling forward with immense difficulty. A source indicated that the Duke is refusing to sign any agreement or vacate Royal Lodge until every last financial detail is meticulously settled to his satisfaction. This hardline stance is creating a logistical and public relations headache for the palace, which is keen to resolve the matter discreetly.
The situation is further complicated by the looming uncertainty over the future of Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, who also resides at Royal Lodge. The eviction drama underscores the ongoing challenges King Charles faces in dealing with the fallout from Prince Andrew's association with the late Jeffrey Epstein and the subsequent settlement of a civil sexual assault case in the United States.
