Prince Andrew may have lost all his remaining royal titles, but he will continue to live at Royal Lodge in Windsor until at least 2078, thanks to a 'cast-iron' tenancy agreement. The King's brother announced he would no longer be known as the Duke of York and was stepping down from membership of the Order of the Garter, as well as relinquishing his position as Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victoria Order. However, he remains a prince, having been born the son of Queen Elizabeth.
His ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, will now be known as plain Sarah Ferguson. The pair will continue to reside at the 30-room, £30million property, despite efforts by the King to 'relocate' Andrew amid financial concerns. Their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will retain their titles, having been born into the Royal Family.
In a statement issued by Buckingham Palace on his behalf, Andrew made clear he continued to deny allegations of sexual assault made against him by the late Virginia Giuffre, who he met through paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. But he conceded continued revelations about his dealings with Epstein were a 'distraction' from the work of the Royal Family.
Andrew signed a 75-year lease with the Crown Estate in 2003, making a £1million down payment and paying £260,000-a-year in rent. The lease requires him to repaint the external walls every five years with two coats of paint and redecorate inside every seven years. He is also responsible for repairs, with an estimated £7million bill for renovations.
Last year, Andrew was told there would be only two possible options: find a way to be financially independent, covering his security and maintenance, or move into 'more suitable accommodation'. The King had encouraged him to move into Frogmore Cottage, but Andrew has been consistently reluctant to leave Royal Lodge.
