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Royal Lodge Reportedly Needs Extensive Renovation

Posted by karenl on March 3, 2023, 8:09 pm

"Andrew carried out extensive renovation when he moved into the 31-bedroom residence in the early 2000s with his daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

However, two decades later, the Lodge requires new extensive and expensive works, a source has claimed.

They told The Sun: "Royal Lodge is in a terrible state and it is falling down. Millions were spent when Andrew moved in but that was 20 years ago.

"Barely any work has gone on for two decades and people are shocked when they visit."

""There is a serious issue with damp that needs to be rectified and that isn’t cheap on a house of that size. It also needs a new roof.

"Not only does Andrew not have the finances to bring the home up to scratch, it would be uninhabitable when the work is being carried out."

If this story is true, then Charles isn't getting Andrew out of Royal Lodge as spite, but as a necessity, or getting the place ready for the Prince and Princess of Wales.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1741806/prince-andrew-home-royal-lodge-damp-frogmore-cottage-move

Re: Royal Lodge Reportedly Needs Extensive Renovation

Posted by Hollie24 on March 3, 2023, 9:53 pm, in reply to "Royal Lodge Reportedly Needs Extensive Renovation"

Well, perhaps, Charles is offering Andrew a good deal by urging him to move to Frogmore Cottage. Would William then assume the remainder of Andrew's lease on Royal Lodge and pay for the repairs in exchange for an offset rent, or would the repairs be covered by a Sovereign's Grant? There were fusses and bothers about repairs carried out on Anmer Hall and the Waleses' apartment at KP, so I doubt they'd want more when it comes to Royal Lodge. And would Charles cover security for the waleses there, or would William?

Re: Royal Lodge Reportedly Needs Extensive Renovation

Posted by Susan T on March 3, 2023, 10:18 pm, in reply to "Re: Royal Lodge Reportedly Needs Extensive Renovation"

No, William can't assume the lease. The lease would be ended early, and I think there's a short period of time left on the period during which Andrew would be entitled to a pro-rated refund on the money he spent on the original renovations.

William would negotiate a new lease, which would probably contain a clause that the lease is terminated if/when William becomes king.

If William moves into Royal Lodge, the place would be protected by taxpayer-funded protection just as it was when Andrew was a working Royal.

Charles would save a bundle by relocating Andrew, and no doubt he tells himself that's the reason why he's playing musical houses.

I don't understand why the tenant, whoever he might be, would have to pay for a new roof. Not sure whether the repairs would be paid for by the Crown Estate or by Charles out of the Sovereign's Grant.

William would probably be allocated an amount for interior renovations, such as kitchen update, but would pay out of his own pocket if the materials he chose exceeded the amount budgeted.

Re: Royal Lodge Reportedly Needs Extensive Renovation

Posted by Candace on March 3, 2023, 10:27 pm, in reply to "Royal Lodge Reportedly Needs Extensive Renovation"

Whoever said Royal Lodge has 30 bedrooms is incorrect -- It has 7 bedrooms and a total of 30 rooms

"How big is the Royal Lodge?
The grounds surrounding the Royal Lodge extend to 98 acres. The property itself has 30 rooms, including seven bedrooms spread across the two topmost floors."

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/royal-family/royal-lodge-windsor-prince-andrew-interior-b2293377.html

Re: Royal Lodge Reportedly Needs Extensive Renovation

Posted by Jessie on March 4, 2023, 1:46 pm, in reply to "Royal Lodge Reportedly Needs Extensive Renovation"

This does not make sense. By all accounts, Prince Andrew was able to get millions from dubious sources,not to mention what he may have made off Pitch at the Palace. He also was receiving finds from his mother, when a working royal, so there is no reason why Royal Lodge should be in this state. If this the case, it sounds as if Prince Andrew was simply waiting for the late Queen to pay for refurbishing and upkeep at the Royal Lodge. I do not blame the King for saying no, after all this is all Prince Andrews doing

Re: Royal Lodge Reportedly Needs Extensive Renovation

Posted by Hollie24 on March 4, 2023, 2:19 pm, in reply to "Re: Royal Lodge Reportedly Needs Extensive Renovation"

We don't know how much Andrew's shelled out over the years for Fergie's various failed schemes. Plus didn't they lose money on that chalet they bought?

I think the whole musical houses thing is a bit of a mess. I had sympathy for Andrew being pressured to give up Royal Lodge, but I've now decided he should take Frogmore Cottage and let the Waleses have Royal Lodge--not because the Lodge needs repairs, but because the Waleses could really make something of the property.

Re: Royal Lodge Reportedly Needs Extensive Renovation

Posted by karenl on March 4, 2023, 2:40 pm, in reply to "Re: Royal Lodge Reportedly Needs Extensive Renovation"

I was thinking this morning of how Andrew has really let Royal Lodge sink into a massive repair pit after all the renovation he paid for 20yr. ago.
The roof, whatever the cost and who foots the bill, is nothing compared to getting rid of the mold/damp. That's a major undertaking.
I got to wondering if it wasn't someone from the Crown Estate that actually viewed all the damage or..repairmen/maintenance workers got in touch with Crown Estates to tell them about the state of disrepair. The Crown Estates approached the King to inform him of such and Charles decided enough is enough.
Charles plus Edward and Anne have kept their homes in repair, at least we haven't heard anything to the contrary. In addition, Royal Lodge was the home of Charles' beloved grandmother, he probably sees it as a desecration.

Re: Royal Lodge Reportedly Needs Extensive Renovation

Posted by Hollie24 on March 4, 2023, 3:43 pm, in reply to "Re: Royal Lodge Reportedly Needs Extensive Renovation"

Anne owns Gatcombe outright and has made the estate a profitable business. Part of Edward's Bagshot Park deal is that he can sublease the stable block to others ( I think he worked that out when Ardent was still running), so I'm sure that helps. Charles, of course, had the Duchy of Cornwall funds to use for upkeep.

The late QM let things get into a bad state at both Royal Lodge and Clarence House and both Charles and Andrew had to carry out repairs and refurbishment before they could move in to their respective residences. If Andrew really has let things get that bad at Royal Lodge, then he should let any monies owed him at the termination of his lease go towards the repair work needed. Even if the Royal Lodge is covered by a Sovereign's Grant or the Crown Estate, there will once again be cries of "taxpayers are paying!" and so on and that would be unfair on the Waleses if they move in.

Royal Lodge Lease Agreement (NAO)

Posted by Jessie on March 4, 2023, 10:26 pm, in reply to "Re: Royal Lodge Reportedly Needs Extensive Renovation"

I just read up on the lease for the Royal Lodge and it appears that Prince Andrew signed a 75 year lease of the property. So I do not think he is being evicted more like he has to leave because he will no longer get the 250,000 pounds per year from the King, but it is apparent that he was not spending the amount HM the late Queen, was giving him for repairs.

You can find more info about the leases of Crown Estate properties by the royal family here:

NAO Crown Estates Lease Info

Re: Royal Lodge Lease Agreement (NAO)

Posted by Hollie24 on March 4, 2023, 11:51 pm, in reply to "Royal Lodge Lease Agreement (NAO)"

Yes, all of this has been covered several times in other threads.

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