Prince Andrew
Inside the Royal Lodge: what the days in exile will be like
© Dana Press
Life as Prince Andrew knew it will never be the same again for Queen Elizabeth’s son. He faces an isolated existence on his estate in Windsor. No events, no public appointments, no appearances as a family member of the monarchy – or is it?
2022: It’s a year that Queen Elizabeth, 95, certainly imagined differently. The monarch has now been on the throne for 70 years. But the shine of their platinum anniversary is overshadowed by one of the biggest scandals in the British royal family. Prince Andrew, 61, has agreed to an out-of-court financial settlement with the plaintiff in the abuse lawsuit. The royal has thus sealed his fate, which has seemed almost inevitable since 2019. He will never be able to return to life as a working senior royal. But what exactly does the future everyday life of the disgraced prince look like now?
Is the Royal Lodge a sanctuary or a drab cage?
Prince Andrew will continue to reside at his Windsor estate. The Royal Lodge has been the Duke’s home since 2004 and is only a few minutes’ drive from the Queen’s residence, Windsor Castle. Riding excursions through the adjacent park and visits to his mother are likely to be the main occupations of the 61-year-old in the years to come. Once Virginia Roberts Giuffre, 38,’s allegations broke, those two activities seemed to carry Andrew through the isolated days.
But Royal author Anna Pasternak is certain that Prince Andrew’s Royal Lodge is no longer the beloved retreat he once was. “What was once the Duke of York’s haven must now feel hollow – a haunting reminder of the gilded life he once led,” Pastnerak said in her article for Britain’s The Telegraph. The green wood paneling, the imposing Gothic drawing room of his lodge and the historic oil paintings; they are relics from an existence that the royal is no longer entitled to. Andrew will probably only find solace in one task.
Prince Andrew must hope for the support of his family
It will be his role as a grandfather that the father of Princess Beatrice, 33, and Princess Eugenie, 31, will now turn to. Visits from his grandchildren Sienna and August should bring some cheer to the monotonous life that inevitably awaits the royal. It’s family that Andrew has to bank on. Nothing else was left to him. In addition to his daughters, Sarah Ferguson, 61, who continues to live with her ex-husband, will be a great support. It is impossible that the public will ever see Prince Andrew again at a public appointment. There are only two exceptions that should be granted to the Queen’s third son.
Prince Andrew is likely to appear again for two dates
On the one hand, royal experts assume that Andrew can be present at the memorial service for his late father Prince Philip, † 99. This will take place in London on March 29, 2022. The second appointment Prince Andrew will be entitled to despite his scandal is Queen Elizabeth’s funeral one day.
According to a palace insider, the 61-year-old is only allowed to attend other family celebrations on a private basis. So after the memorial service for his father, Andrew will disappear from the public eye for the time being.
Sources used: telegraph.co.uk, dailymail.co.uk