Disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is now housed on King Charles III’s Sandringham Estate, residing at Marsh Farm, which has undergone a range of renovations ahead of his arrival. He gave up the keys to Royal Lodge in February this year, so who now foots the bill for the 30-room disused mansion?
The property belongs to the Crown Estate, which is a portfolio of land and assets owned by the current monarch, King Charles.
The official website explains: “The Crown Estate is owned by the Monarch ‘in right of the Crown’. This means that while the King owns the estate during his reign, it is not his private property and he does not manage or make decisions about its assets.” So, it will be up to the estate to upkeep the residence, which is reportedly in disrepair, as well as decide what will happen to it in the future.
When Andrew held the lease, there was a chance that it could have been passed down to his two daughters, Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice; however, that is now not the case, as he has forfeited his privilege.
The future of Royal Lodge
Andrew Lownie, author of Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, spoke to HELLO! about the property and what he suggests should become of it.
“I think they’ve got to change the security cordon, perhaps, and make it a public building open for people to visit, maybe as a tribute, for example, to the Queen Mother and the late Queen, who grew up there. That might be one option.”
© Getty ImagesHe compares it to Balmoral, which has now opened its doors to visitors, under King Charles’ watchful eye. “Reinvent it as a place to visit in the way they’re doing with Balmoral. And I suspect we’ll see that with other homes. I think Buckingham Palace could now become very much a public building that’s open to the public. And [the monarchy] could raise large sums of money doing it.”
© Photo: Getty ImagesThere’s one particular historical item which may well still be in the grounds, and that’s a giant playhouse is called Y Bwthyn Bach, which is Welsh for “The Little Cottage”. It was gifted to Queen Elizabeth II by the people of Wales in 1932. The then Princess Elizabeth and her sister Princess Margaret were photographed in it frequently, and young King Charles was snapped playing in it, too. It’s been something that has been used throughout the royal generations. It’s also been reported that Queen Elizabeth II actually wanted Prince William to live at Royal Lodge with his family when the Andrew leaving rumours began, because of its appeal to young children.
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