Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson ‘Strike a Shocking Deal’ to Leave Royal Lodge — But Only If the King Grants Them TWO Lavish New Homes
After months of royal tension and whispers from Windsor, Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson have reportedly agreed to leave their long-time home, Royal Lodge — but not without setting their own extraordinary terms. In what insiders are calling a “shocking deal,” the Duke and Duchess of York have allegedly told the King they’ll vacate the £30 million mansion only if they receive not one, but two royal properties in return.
According to reports from The Sun and The Australian, Andrew and Sarah are demanding separate residences — one for each of them — despite continuing to live together at Royal Lodge since their 1996 divorce. The couple’s proposed move marks a new twist in the long-running standoff between the Duke and Buckingham Palace over his future living arrangements.
The pair’s wish list reportedly includes Frogmore Cottage, the former Windsor home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and Adelaide Cottage, the current residence of the Prince and Princess of Wales’ staff. Sources suggest that Andrew believes he has “earned” the right to stay within Windsor Great Park, while Ferguson, who has rebuilt her public profile in recent years, is said to be “keen to have a smaller place of her own.”
The controversy stems from Andrew’s 75-year lease on Royal Lodge, signed in 2003, which allows him to occupy the sprawling property for a peppercorn rent. However, maintaining the 30-room mansion has reportedly become financially draining. Since losing his royal duties and public funding following his association with Jeffrey Epstein, Andrew has struggled to cover the estate’s massive upkeep. King Charles has privately urged his younger brother to downsize, with sources claiming the monarch wants Royal Lodge to be repurposed for working members of the Royal Family.
But the Duke has been reluctant to budge. Friends say he sees Royal Lodge as his “last anchor” within the royal world. His reported demand for two replacement homes appears to be a tactical move — an attempt to secure both his own comfort and Sarah Ferguson’s continued royal proximity.
Royal insiders are divided. Some call the proposal “outrageous,” arguing that Andrew should not be negotiating with the King after stepping back from public life. Others believe it’s a pragmatic solution to an increasingly awkward standoff. “If giving them two smaller properties gets them out of Royal Lodge peacefully, it might be the cleanest way forward,” said one palace source quoted by The Sun.
For now, Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on the reports. Whether the King will grant his brother’s unusual request remains to be seen — but the so-called “Two-House Deal” has already become the latest royal saga to captivate Britain.
As one insider put it: “Andrew and Sarah may be out of favor, but they’re certainly not out of moves.”
