General Discussion about Royal Residences

[An Ard Ri]

Originally Posted by Stefan

Exactly and i were in their position i would keep it as their London home and use BP only for representation and official Events

Seems very logical and only a stones throw from the Big House

[Lilyflo]

Originally Posted by Stefan

Exactly and i were in their position i would keep it as their London home and use BP only for representation and official Events

I think that's always been Charles's plan and I doubt he'll ever give up Clarence House in order to move into BP. I don't think he'll make Windsor Castle his weekend home either, unlike his parents. He'll probably keep Highgrove for that but I think he'll spend more time at Balmoral and Sandringham via shorter visits throughout the year, rather than the traditional extended stays in summer and winter.

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by royal-blue

The long awaited great RRR (royal residential reshuffle) has begun!

So it looks like Royal Lodge will be freed up. It seems a real shame for this great house to leave the family after so many decades but apart from possibly William and his family, there just aren't snough royals to utilise so many properties any longer.

It is not that easy to get the Duke of York out of Royal Lodge.

Prince Andrew has a 75 years (!) lease from the Crown Estate. As long as he pays his lease and does the agreed maintenance to the building, there are no grounds to enforce the Duke to move out. So it will always be in mutual agreement when another housing arrangement is agreed.

That Frogmore Cottage lies within the security perimeter of Windsor Castle might help. It would mean the Duke, when living there, will be "included" by the security and surveillance of the King's residence, so that no longer separate security arrangements are needed for Royal Lodge.

We will see how it all unfolds.

[Denville]

I dont think Andrew will want to leave. the only thing that might persuade him is the security issue as it is not as safe as some other buildings in the Windsor area.

[royal-blue]

How often do the Wales family actually use KP now? Perhaps this huge apartment could be exchanged for something smaller? If they do move from Adelaide Cottage to Royal Lodge, this would avoid the situation of having 3 huge mansions which doesn't look good.

[tommy100]

The "theoretical move" we all think is happening makes sense:

Andrew lives at Royal Lodge and yes has a 75 year lease but he also has to maintain it and also wants / needs security around the house. Royal Lodge is not in the main Windsor Castle security cordon so requires its own security. That was once paid for by the police but now Andrew has lost that security the bill would need to be picked up by Charles via the Duchy of Lancaster.

At the same time, Frogmore Cottage is sitting empty most of the time nearby but inside the main Castle security cordon. So empty Eugenie is able to live there when needed.

Its pure logic for Charles to try and get Andrew into Frogmore where he won't be on the line for a huge million + security bill each year.

The Sussex's don't really need such a large house for their infrequent visits, a smaller property on the estate or indeed as suggested, Andrew's former BP apartment would be enough.

The Wales' going to Royal Lodge makes sense in the fact that he has the Duchy of Cornwall income to fund upkeep and other costs as well as being entitled to official funded security.

I can see Adelaide going to Eugenie (sweetner to convince Andrew out of RL or to the Sussex's - "its secure enough for the Wales' as heirs so secure enough for them")
So purely on paper it makes perfect sense.

[CyrilVladisla]

Cambridge House in London, England was the residence of Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge (1774-1850).
http://IWASNOTSSL-www.alamy.com/stock-photo-cam...-85686997.html

[royal-blue]

All seems to have gone quiet on both the Royal Lodge and Frogmore Cottage questions. If I was Andrew then I would definitely prefer a smaller house that is easier and cheaper to manage.

[princesstully]

I agree that the cold consensus has taken hold here. Yes Andrew should concede.

[Denville]

Originally Posted by royal-blue

All seems to have gone quiet on both the Royal Lodge and Frogmore Cottage questions. If I was Andrew then I would definitely prefer a smaller house that is easier and cheaper to manage.

Andrew is soemone who craves status, and I doubt if he will leave RL unless he really can't manage to pay for it. It is his house as long as he can pay the expenses on it. If he begins to have money problems, Charles wil probalby pressure him to move into a smaller place but I dont know if that is happening as yet.

[muriel]

Originally Posted by Denville

Andrew is soemone who craves status, and I doubt if he will leave RL unless he really can't manage to pay for it. It is his house as long as he can pay the expenses on it. If he begins to have money problems, Charles wil probalby pressure him to move into a smaller place but I dont know if that is happening as yet.

I do not believe the issue is about his ability to pay for the running of Royal Lodge, it is about the cost of his security. Royal Lodge is outside the security perimeter, and so the cost of security is probably being bourn by Charles currently.