However, royal sources told the Daily Mail that the Prince is not being “realistic” about what he can afford to do after his annual maintenance grant of £249,000 was cut earlier this year.
Royal Lodge is estimated to need around £2 million in repairs, with Andrew already having paid around £200,000 for refurbishments to the roof to be carred out over the summer.
Since stepping down as a working royal Andrew relies on his annual allowance from the Duchy of Lancaster for support, as well as his Navy pension and his inheritance from Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.
One family friend said: “It’s all a bit cloud cuckoo-land, I’m afraid. No one, not least His Majesty, believes there is any realistic, long-term chance of the Duke of York being able to keep the roof at Royal Lodge over his head. It’s a massive property and estate that requires a huge amount of upkeep.”
Another added: “In all honesty, I would not expect to see the Duke of York of living at Royal Lodge in the long term. If he could pay the upkeep then he would be welcome to stay. But the chances of that happening are, frankly, remote.
“He and the Duchess are… rattling around in a huge property they simply can’t afford.”
As Andrew leased the property from the Crown Estate on a long-term basis, the King is powerless to simply evict him, and if the Duke does leave before his lease his up the Crow Estate may end up owing him money.
However it is not known exactly how Andrew will be able to fund the repair work, nor has it been ascertained how much he inherited from his late parents.
A source told The Mirror: “It seems the King just wants to move on for the time being which might be a good idea for everyone.”
