Prince Andrew Royal Lodge alternative ‘ruled out’ as Fergie makes major £4.25m townhouse decision

A possible alternative home for Prince Andrew has been ruled out – because ex-wife Sarah Ferguson has cashed in by renting it out. The disgraced Duke of York is under pressure from brother King Charles to vacate Royal Lodge.

The mansion, thought to be worth £30 million, was leased to Andrew for 75 years in 2004. Located on the Windsor Estate, he was charged with paying for its upkeep and had hoped to pass it on to daughters Beatrice and Eugenie.

But Charles wants him to move to a smaller property and will next month stop funding his security detail in an attempt to force his brother’s hand. Andrew remains grimly determined to cling on but sources say it is a “no-brainer” for the Duke to move.

One potential new home is, however, no longer an option, according to reports in the Daily Mail. The Duchess of York -affectionately known as ‘Fergie’ – owns a £4.25m London townhouse which is seen as ideal for the pair.

But she is now renting it out for £16,000 a month, seemingly removing it as an option. The two-bedroom property is located in swanky Belgravia, just minutes from Buckingham Palace. The £192,000 she would receive every year from the property would not even be half of what it costs for the upkeep of Royal Lodge, which comes with 90 acres of land.

Frogmore Cottage remains the King’s preferred solution but royal insiders reckon the Belgravia townhouse would have been a perfect solution with Andrew and Sarah still on good terms. A source said: “Relocating to a luxury townhouse is a move that most people could only dream of, and it would save the Yorks £200,000 per year – it’s a no-brainer.

“It’s time for the Yorks to be independent, they’ve got a long-term lease with the Crown Estate and if they can pay their fully independent means to live at Royal Lodge, they’re very welcome to, but they need the right security for a building of that size. If they can find the money that’s great, but if they can’t then a smaller property would be much less expensive.”

Beatrice and Eugenie are also listed as owners of the Balgravie home with the funds coming from cash inherited by the princesses from the late Prince Philip and The Queen. It was previously described as an “investment” for Sarah although it seems likely her daughters will be the chief beneficiaries.