Sarah Ferguson has returned to her and ex-husband Prince Andrew’s royal residence, Royal Lodge, after spending some time at a medical health resort in Austria. The Duchess, who has been diagnosed with malignant melanoma for the second time in less than a year, has seemingly shut down reports of her and Prince Andrew’s eviction from their lavish 30-room mansion.
According to Thenews, The rumours of the eviction emerged after King Charles III, who ascended the throne in February 2023 following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, warned the royal family to tighten their belts as he reviewed the spending from the Duchy of Lancaster funds, also known as the Privy Purse¹. The Privy Purse is a private income that supports the King and other members of the royal family in their official and private expenses.
Prince Andrew, who is 63 years old, has reportedly received a £249,000 annual allowance from the Privy Purse since he stepped back from his senior royal duties in November 2019, amid the scandal over his association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein¹. Prince Andrew has also faced a legal battle with Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexually abusing her when she was underage. Prince Andrew has vehemently denied the allegations and reached a multi-million pound settlement with Giuffre in December 2023.
According to some sources, King Charles was planning to force his younger brother out of the Royal Lodge by withdrawing funding for his home security and offering him the keys to Frogmore Cottage, the former home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who now live in California¹. However, a friend of Prince Andrew, who is in regular communication with the Duke, has claimed that while some palace officials would back the eviction, King Charles would never authorise it, as ‘blood is thicker than water’ for the royal family.
Speaking to Hello! magazine on Sunday, Sarah Ferguson addressed the reports of the possible eviction and said: “This is really a matter for the Duke and His Majesty.” She also claimed that Prince Andrew “doesn’t actually take taxpayers’ money” since he stepped back from royal duties and that she was in the “position” to “support him and the rest of the family through my work”. The Duchess of York has recently released a new novel titled The Most Intriguing Lady, which is set in the Victorian period and is about a Duke’s daughter who solves crimes in the inner circles of high society
Sarah Ferguson, who is 63 years old as well, has remained close to Prince Andrew despite their divorce in 1996, after 10 years of marriage. The couple have been living together at the Royal Lodge since 2004 and have raised their two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, there. They have also been seen together at public events, such as royal weddings and Ascot races, and have defended each other amid controversies.
Sarah Ferguson also revealed that she was resting with her family at home and feeling blessed to have their love and support, after undergoing surgery to remove several moles from her skin. She had previously battled breast cancer in June 2023, when she underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. She had revealed her diagnosis in an Instagram post, where she called it a “gift” that had sparked a “change” in her life. She also thanked Prince Andrew, who had been by her side throughout her treatment and recovery.
