Is the royal family finally drawing a line in the sand over Prince Andrew's controversial tenure at Royal Lodge?
According to the Daily Mail, reports surfaced on October 24, 2025, indicating that Prince Andrew, long embroiled in scandal due to his association with Jeffrey Epstein, is in talks with King Charles to leave his lavish 30-room mansion in Windsor.
The controversy isn't new, but the heat is turning up with public and parliamentary scrutiny over his near rent-free lease at Royal Lodge, a property on the Crown Estate in Windsor Great Park.
Back in 2003, Andrew signed a 75-year lease on Royal Lodge, paying £1 million upfront and a symbolic “peppercorn” rent annually, if demanded, though a redacted version of the lease hid these details from public view until recently.
By 2005, he shelled out £7.5 million for refurbishments, as noted in a National Audit Office report, yet the lease also includes a clause for a £558,000 payout from the Crown Estate if he exits early.
Fast forward to 2011, an email to Epstein stating “we’re in this together” surfaced, contradicting Andrew’s claim of cutting ties with the convicted offender, adding fuel to an already smoldering fire.
The Epstein connection ties directly to allegations by Virginia Giuffre, who claimed before her tragic suicide in April 2025 that she was forced into sexual encounters with Andrew three times, including at age 17—accusations he staunchly denies.
In 2022, Andrew settled a civil case with Giuffre for millions, all while maintaining he never met her, a move that did little to quiet the storm of criticism.
By October 18, 2025, after consulting with the King and the Prince of Wales, Andrew relinquished his Duke of York title and honors, hoping to shield the monarchy from distraction, though he remains a prince living at Royal Lodge with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
King Charles has reportedly urged Andrew to move out for years, and as of October 24, 2025, negotiations are ongoing about where he might relocate—perhaps to Sandringham in Norfolk or Balmoral in Aberdeenshire, though Andrew prefers staying near his daughters in London or Windsor.
Royal sources suggest the palace is intent on ousting him while ensuring Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie’s residences at St James’s Palace and Kensington Palace remain secure, a balancing act in a family under public glare. Compensation for the millions Andrew invested in Royal Lodge is also on the table, a sticking point in discussions that could see taxpayers indirectly footing a hefty bill if that £558,000 clause kicks in.
On the evening before October 24, 2025, media swarmed Royal Lodge, expecting an announcement that never came, while reports from the week revealed how the 2003 lease’s “peppercorn” rent was obscured, raising questions about transparency even if the redaction was legal.
Adding to the pressure, the Public Accounts Committee is seeking answers from the Crown Estate and Treasury about the lease terms, while Downing Street has made it clear as of October 24, 2025, that Parliament won’t allocate time to debate Andrew’s conduct, prioritizing “important issues” over royal drama, though committees might still probe.
Meanwhile, King Charles marked significant events, from a historic Vatican visit praying alongside the Pope to welcoming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Windsor Castle on October 24, 2025—moments royal aides hoped would overshadow Andrew’s saga, yet the spotlight stubbornly lingers on Windsor’s embattled prince.