Prince Andrew may choose to remain at the Royal Lodge despite any attempts to ‘remove’ him, according to a legal expert.
The previous week, Prince Andrew distanced himself further from the royal family amid ongoing scrutiny over his ties with Jeffrey Epstein by declaring he would no longer use his royal designations, such as ‘Duke of York’.
A statement from Andrew issued on Friday (October 17) stated: “In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family.
“I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.
“With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”
With Andrew no longer utilizing his royal titles, focus has shifted to his residence at the Royal Lodge, which he occupies alongside his former spouse, Sarah Ferguson.
The couple has resided there since 2003 after Andrew invested £1 million for the lease, which is valid until 2078.
Property attorney Mike Hansom suggests that efforts to remove Andrew would likely prove futile.
“Any attempt to get Andrew out would be a waste of time as he bought the house on a 75-year lease agreement and therefore is legally entitled to live in the property until 2078,” he explained to MailOnline.
“He would either have to agree to leave by mutual consent or can only be forced to leave if he has failed to adhere to the tenants covenants in the lease, which is unlikely.”
The publication reports that Andrew holds a ‘cast-iron lease’.
Property specialist and realtor Henry Sherwood concurred, noting: “He has lease to rent it, but there is a peppercorn agreement, so he only pays a nominal amount, usually just £1 so they can say he pays for it.
“Unless there are any break clauses then the lease is valid for the full term and he cannot be evicted. However, they may be able to find an ancient by law, etcetera, saying only available to royalty.”
In 2021, Virginia Giuffre claimed she was trafficked by Epstein at the age of 17 and coerced into having sexual relations with Prince Andrew in 2001 — allegations he has consistently denied.
These accusations came to light in 2015 within legal documents related to Epstein, and the former Duke of York ultimately reached a settlement with Giuffre in 2022 following her civil lawsuit against him.
Two years before the settlement, Prince Andrew had to cease all his royal engagements.
Tragically, Giuffre passed away by suicide at the age of 41 in April 2025.
Requests for comments have been made to Prince Andrew’s representatives.