Prince Andrew: where he could live after Royal Lodge
A lot has changed this month. On 17 October 2025, Prince Andrew said he would stop using his royal titles, including “Duke of York”, after renewed scrutiny of his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. He continues to deny any wrongdoing. That announcement has revived a practical question with public interest attached: should he remain at Royal Lodge in Windsor, and if not, where does he go next? BBC News reported the titles decision and the timing.
Here’s the crux of Royal Lodge. Andrew holds a 75‑year lease, signed in 2003, on a 30‑room home in Windsor Great Park. The rent is a nominal “peppercorn” if demanded, but the lease required big upfront payments, including extensive renovations. Documents seen by UK media show an initial £1m lease premium and about £7.5m on works completed in 2005, plus a clause that would pay him roughly £558,000 if he surrenders the lease before its 25‑year point. ITV News and the National Audit Office material underpin those figures.
Quick explainer: a “peppercorn” rent is a legal token-sometimes literally £1-used to keep a contract valid. In Andrew’s case, those lump‑sum costs spread over the 75‑year term work out far below market rent, which is why MPs and commentators keep asking if the deal is reasonable on a taxpayer‑linked estate. ABC News has summarised the costings and upkeep obligations; he funds maintenance under the lease.
Why this matters to you. The Crown Estate isn’t the King’s private wallet; its profits go to the Treasury, with a portion used to fund the Sovereign Grant. So when a prime property isn’t generating market rent, Parliament may want to see whether the agreement still passes a fairness test. The prime minister has said he supports proper scrutiny of Crown properties in principle, and Downing Street last week declined to set aside time for a Commons debate specifically on Andrew, pointing reporters to other priorities. Sky News and the Financial Times reported those exchanges.
Option inside Windsor: Frogmore Cottage. This Grade II‑listed, five‑bedroom house sits in a quiet corner near Frogmore House. It has served as a retreat since Queen Charlotte’s time and, more recently, was home to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex before they were asked to vacate in 2023. The property has stood available since. Wikipedia outlines the building’s status and history, while Sky News and ITV confirmed the Sussex move.
Option inside Windsor: Adelaide Cottage. The Prince and Princess of Wales moved there in 2022 but are relocating to Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park. Kensington Palace confirmed in mid‑August that the family would move this year, which potentially frees Adelaide Cottage for another royal occupant. Sky News carried the palace confirmation.
If you’ve seen claims that Andrew will only leave Royal Lodge in exchange for two separate homes-Frogmore for him, Adelaide for Sarah Ferguson-treat them as unconfirmed. That line originated in The Sun and has been repeated by outlets like People; Buckingham Palace has not issued a public confirmation. It’s a useful case study in weighing tabloid reports against on‑the‑record statements.
Another realistic fallback is Wood Farm on the privately owned Sandringham estate in Norfolk. The cottage is modest by royal standards and was where the late Duke of Edinburgh spent much of his retirement from 2017. Its appeal is privacy and distance from cameras-though it would take Andrew far from Windsor. The Evening Standard has reported on Wood Farm’s role in the family’s recent history.
Scotland offers options too. At Balmoral-also private property-Andrew and Sarah Ferguson have previously stayed at Craigowan Lodge during summer visits. There’s also the Castle of Mey, in Caithness, revived by the Queen Mother and now run as a visitor attraction in season. These are viable for seclusion, but again, far from Windsor bases. Public sources record both estates’ status.
You may also read about a palace in Abu Dhabi being offered to Andrew. That story stems from The Sun and has been echoed by the Evening Standard, but it remains unverified and unacknowledged by the palace. When a claim sounds grand and relies on unnamed sources, keep it in the “maybe” column until there’s on‑record confirmation.
What’s actually moving now? Multiple outlets say talks about Andrew leaving Royal Lodge have advanced, even with a cast‑iron lease in place. Under the contract, any exit would likely be by agreement rather than eviction, and would need a solution for where both Andrew and Sarah Ferguson live next. The Guardian has reported progress on the talks; ITV has detailed the lease.
The politics hasn’t cooled. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has urged a parliamentary committee to take evidence-including from Andrew-about the lease, while No 10 has resisted allocating debate time. For media literacy, note the difference between a party press release, a prime minister’s on‑record comments, and committee timetables. The Lib Dems published their ask; Sky News set out the government line.
What it means for public accountability. If Andrew moves into a smaller Crown Estate home in Windsor, the Royal Lodge question doesn’t disappear; MPs could still test whether the lease terms are value‑for‑money and whether any surrender payment is appropriate. If he opts for a private estate like Sandringham or Balmoral, the transparency debate shifts, because those are not Crown Estate properties; public money concerns are different there.
And what it means for you as a reader. Separate what’s verified from what’s speculative. Verified this month: Andrew has stopped using his titles; the peppercorn lease terms and upfront costs are now public; and the Wales family are moving to Forest Lodge, making Adelaide Cottage a live possibility. Speculative: any two‑home “deal” and any Gulf palace. We’ll keep watching for on‑record confirmations before treating those as settled facts.