Copyright dailystar
Prince Andrew is "determined to cling on" at Royal Lodge, and only two factors will persuade him to leave the property, it has been suggested. The former Duke of York's contentious tenancy of Royal Lodge has once again hit headlines amid public outrage over the so-called "peppercorn" rent he reportedly enjoys at the vast 30-room mansion in Windsor Great Park . Andrew , who relinquished his Royal title due to ongoing pressure over his connections to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein , is reportedly willing to vacate Royal Lodge but, according to the BBC , desires other Royal properties for himself and Sarah Ferguson (his ex-wife, who resides at his current home with him). Despite these developments, Andrew , who continues to "vigorously deny the accusations" against him, may have other plans, suggests the Mail's Richard Eden, who recently quoted what he described as a "highly informed source". Unlike others who might "scuttle away" under such intense media scrutiny, Richard says this is not Andrew's "style". In fact, he's reportedly becoming increasingly "determined to cling on" at Royal Lodge as his reputation continues to be affected. According to the source: "His only identity comes from his status," and it was implied that, to the disgraced prince, his sense of self is tied to his continued possession of the Berkshire mansion. Richard went on to reference the only two factors that could supposedly persuade him to leave the property, describing them as “the stick or the carrot.” The source continued: "Money. You'll need to pay him to go away...and pay him not to talk." It appears the alternative involves a far more severe strategy, one that might affect the future of his and Sarah Ferguson's daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie . The source revealed: "Pressure on his children. He's always been transparent about his ambitions for his daughters." They added: "If you want to make sure your daughters are OK and are invited to Sandringham, and that they remain princesses, then you'd better [go] quietly." This follows reports that the journalist who conducted the notorious 2019 Newsnight interview with Andrew disclosed Prince William's alleged two-word verdict on his uncle. Speaking with Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall on an episode of The News Agents podcast about the prince's living situation, Emily Maitlis claimed that it would be "very different in the next King's reign." Emily said: "Where I think it becomes interesting is William's response to his uncle, right? I mean, I was told that he thinks his uncle is, quote, 'beyond hideous', so whatever Charles does or doesn't do, I think the relationship will be very, very different in the next King's reign." The Daily Star has approached Buckingham Palace for comment.
