Prince Andrew can finally breathe a sigh of relief: after years of tension with King Charles, the Duke of York has successfully retained residence at Royal Lodge, presenting a legally binding lease agreement that confirms his entitlement to stay until 2078. The confrontation, which began in 2019, culminated earlier this summer when Prince Andrew secured a legal document that halted King Charles’s eviction efforts.
Behind palace gates, royal watchers report the Duke of York is “all smiles” now that he has “won the row with Charles”. Despite Charles’s attempts to relocate Andrew to the more modest Frogmore Cottage, Andrew refused and maintained his stance — citing the franchise lease as his anchor.
The Royal Lodge, a 30‑room mansion within Windsor Great Park leased to Andrew in 2003 for 75 years, has been his principal home since 2004. He cohabits the estate with his former wife, Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York.
Andrew invested roughly £7.5 million on renovations initially, and while his annual allowance and private security have been cut since October 2024—costs reportedly covered by a mystery supporter—the lease’s legal security has rendered eviction attempts moot.
With the Duke’s victory, Charles reportedly removed valuable items from Royal Lodge amid concerns over cost and upkeep. This property had been considered as a potential new home for Prince William and Kate Middleton, but that plan ultimately fell through.
Meanwhile, Sarah Ferguson has seized the spotlight with an unexpected but personally motivated announcement. Influenced by her role as a grandmother to the children of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, she has unveiled her latest venture: a line of fully compostable nappies called The Greater Good.
Sharing her motivation with The Daily Mail, Sarah said, “I’ve created an eco‑friendly nappy. I think it’s very exciting, being a grandmother, because the more grandchildren I have, the more urgency there is for compostable diapers.” An insider told Express UK the initiative will carry a strong charitable component.
This venture builds on Sarah’s longstanding activism: in late 2024, she launched The Greater Good campaign in Samoa, where disposable nappies contribute up to 30 percent of household waste. The project hired local women to produce and compost biodegradable diapers, transforming them into nutrient-rich soil in six to eight weeks, dramatically reducing plastic pollution.
The combination of royal real estate drama and environmental entrepreneurship reflects how private family life and public mission intersect for descendants of the monarchy. Moreover, Andrew’s triumph over eviction attempts comes at a moment when scrutiny of his funding remains intense.
Despite living off a Royal Navy pension and having had his allowance cut, the mysterious backer keeping him in Windsor has yet to be identified publicly, prompting growing calls for transparency.
Sarah Ferguson’s campaign also complements her broader philanthropic legacy. She’s long been involved in education and children’s welfare through organizations such as Children in Crisis and Sarah’s Trust, and often integrates charitable intent into her projects.