King Charles has officially granted Royal Lodge, the prestigious Windsor estate currently occupied by Prince Andrew, to his youngest son Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, following the expulsion of Sarah Ferguson from the property.
This move comes amid ongoing efforts by King Charles to consolidate the royal family's residences and ensure the most active and trusted members of the monarchy are appropriately housed.
Royal observers note that King Charles has been impressed by Edward and Sophie’s dedication, as since being elevated to Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh in 2023, they have taken on numerous royal duties and filled gaps left by other senior royals. Edward completed 297 engagements last year, and Sophie completed 219, ranking them among the most active working royals.
Prince Andrew, who signed a 75-year lease on Royal Lodge in 2003 and has resisted leaving despite scandal and calls for him to downsize, is being pressured to vacate the home. The removal of Sarah Ferguson from the estate adds to this change in occupancy. The transfer of Royal Lodge to Edward and Sophie symbolizes a fresh start and a reward for their loyalty and work for the Crown.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh currently reside at Bagshot Park, Surrey, but Royal Lodge offers a larger scale and more prominent base in Windsor Great Park, closer to the heart of royal activities. This relocation is also seen as part of King Charles’s wider strategy to slim down the monarchy’s estate portfolio while strengthening his trusted team around him and Prince William.