All hell breaks loose’ in King Charles Royal Lodge row as royal couple ‘step forward’

Two senior royals have “thrown a spanner” into an “already difficult situation” regarding Prince Andrew’s occupancy of the Royal Lodge, a palace insider has claimed.

King Charles has been attempting to relocate brother Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, from their Grade II-listed Winsor mansion to the smaller Frogmore Cottage.

But the Duke of York is thought to be reluctant to leave, citing his 75-year lease. Now, a palace insider has told Woman’s Day magazine that two more royals have stepped forward to be “caretakers” of the building

The insider said: “Sophie and Edward are serious contenders to take this project on and do an excellent job. They’ve completely thrown a spanner into an already difficult situation, which is why Charles has had to come clean on his somewhat unpopular plan to house Camilla.

“Needless to say, all hell’s broken loose and if it’s not sorted out soon, there is a push for William to step in and take back the Lodge, just to settle what’s becoming a very uncomfortable fraternal war.”

Andrew, who divorced Sarah Ferguson in 1996, has lived in the 30-room property since 2004 under a 75-year lease he bought after the death of the Queen Mother in 2002.

Charles has reportedly been trying to convince his brother to move into the more modest Frogmore Cottage, previously occupied by Prince Harry and Meghan.

Andrew and Fergie were allowed to remain in Royal Lodge following the Duchess of York’s cancer diagnosis in 2023, but the Duke reportedly wants to keep the property within his family.

But the monarch is said to be concerned that Queen Camilla will be shunned in the event of his death, so he wants to ensure she is set up for life in Windsor.