Sarah Ferguson’s £4m Belgravia home ‘ruled out’ as Royal Lodge alternative after ‘renting it out for £16,000’
Prince Andrew’s potential alternative home has been “ruled out” after his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson is believed to have rented out the £4.25million central London flat.
As pressure mounts on the Duke of York to move out of his Royal Lodge residence, Fergie was hauled into the row after neighbours claimed the house remained empty in August.
The prince is understood to have been asked to leave Royal Lodge – which he shares with ex-wife Fergie – and move to Frogmore Cottage amid security concerns.
However, it is believed Sarah has installed tenants in the home which she bought in 2022, according to the Daily Mail.
Insiders said the property 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.”
According to official Land Registry documents, Sarah cannot sell the home without written consent from her daughters – which one source claimed is possibly because they had paid for the sale.
From November, King Charles will no longer pay for his brother’s security operation at Royal Lodge – an operation believed to cost £3million a year.
The Duke of York is said to have refused to give up the 30-room royal residence.
Fergie’s Mayfair property, described as a “long-term investment” for her daughters when it was purchased for £4.25million in June 2022, has been left largely empty.
Both of Prince Andrew’s daughters have flats within a 10-minute drive of the Mayfair townhouse, ideal for quick visits to see loved ones.
