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While Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson's marriage in 1986 and subsequent divorce 10 years later attracted significant media attention, one element of their ongoing relationship that receives less coverage is their continued cohabitation at Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park. The property has been their official country residence since 2004 and is also home to an important yet lesser-known historical building - the Royal Chapel of All Saints.
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Royal Lodge itself dates back to the mid-17th century when it was originally constructed as a modest farmhouse. Over the centuries, it underwent transformations to become the elegant royal residence it is today. The sprawling 30-room mansion spanning three stories with two-story wings provides enough space for Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson to cohabit in separate wings since 2008.
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Upkeep of the reportedly £30 million property has cost Prince Andrew millions over the years in renovations, with maintenance requiring hundreds of thousands annually according to his 2003 long-term lease with the Crown Estate. However, the mansion is now said to be crumbling and showing visible signs of disrepair from dampness and general wear and tear. This may explain why King Charles has allegedly been pressuring his brother to vacate Royal Lodge, in what some are calling 'The Siege of Royal Lodge.'
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The king is suggesting Prince Andrew move to nearby Frogmore Cottage instead - the former home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. As an unoccupied property, it would undoubtedly cost far less to maintain. Understandably, Charles wants to reduce public spending wherever possible given the cost of living crisis.
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While the ongoing dispute between the brothers continues, Royal Lodge is also home to the historic Royal Chapel of All Saints. Situated within the grounds, it is a Grade II listed church dating back to the 17th century. Designated a ‘royal peculiar,’ the chapel falls directly under the monarch's jurisdiction rather than a diocese.
It has functioned as an informal parish church for royal staff and family over the years. Most notably, it was the setting for Princess Beatrice's private wedding to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in 2020 - a small ceremony held there due to COVID-19 restrictions.
However, Prince Andrew's latest very public appearance with senior royals at a memorial service in February has prompted heavy criticism and calls for the king to further limit his controversial brother's public role. Royal biographer Tom Bower condemned Andrew for being positioned at the front of the group during the Windsor Castle event, calling it a ‘catastrophic mistake.’
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Bower argued Andrew had arrogantly walked ahead of more senior working royals like Princess Anne and Zara Tindall. He asserted the disgraced Duke should have walked behind those like Camilla and William in attendance. The biographer placed blame squarely on King Charles, urging him to be 'more authoritarian' in ordering Andrew to stay completely out of public view going forward.
This recent condemnation comes amid reports Andrew wants to fulfill the remaining 54 years of his Royal Lodge lease by eventually transferring ownership of the property to his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. However, King Charles is understood to be opposed to the plan and remains steadfast in his desire for Andrew to relinquish the residence altogether.
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With the bitter dispute between the brothers showing no signs of resolving anytime soon, the future of both Royal Lodge and its historic onsite Royal Chapel of All Saints remains uncertain. What is clear, though, is the need for the scandal-plagued Prince Andrew to more permanently retreat from public royal duties and responsibilities.
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