Prince Andrew‘s days at Royal Lodge are seemingly numbered, as his younger brother Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, could soon be moving in! That is, if King Charles gets his way!
King Charles, 75, has reportedly wanted to kick the Duke of York, 64, out of the 30-room mansion for quite some time, as his younger brother was unable to maintain the property since being fired as a working royal due to his sexual assault lawsuit and his alleged friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Although Prince Andrew was offered Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s former residence, Frogmore Cottage, he has refused to leave Royal Lodge, which caused the King to take some drastic measures such as removing his security at the mansion. Could asking Prince Edward and his wife to move in finally force Prince Andrew out?
King Charles Reportedly Wants Prince Edward To Move Into Royal Lodge
According to royal expert Richard Kay, King Charles has considered gifting Royal Lodge to his youngest brother Prince Edward once Prince Andrew moves out. This is reportedly his way of thanking Prince Edward, 60, and his wife, Duchess Sophie, 59, for stepping in for him at certain events while he was recovering from his cancer treatment. One event they stepped in for, for example, was the 120th Anniversary Celebration Parade of The Entente Cordiale on April 8th.
It will be quite the change for Sophie and Edward if they do take King Charles up on his rumored offer. They have lived in Bagshot Park, Surrey, since getting married in 1999, where they raised their two children Lady Louise and James, Earl of Wessex.
King Charles Has Reportedly Been 'Hugely Impressed' With Prince Edward And Duchess Sophie's Work
"Charles has entertained the thought of offering Royal Lodge to his youngest brother, Prince Edward," Kay explained to the Daily Mail.
The two haven't always seen eye-to-eye, but the King has been hugely impressed by the manner in which Edward and his wife, Sophie, have increased their workload since their elevation to Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh," Kay continued, in reference to the couple stepping up since being promoted.
He added: "The couple have filled in the many gaps created by the absence of both Kate and himself while they underwent cancer treatment."
