Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York and her ex-husband Prince Andrew still live together – but their home is crumbling.
The Duke and Duchess appeared to have it all after tying the knot in 1986 in front of the world. But less than a decade later, their marriage came to an abrupt end. Just ten years after saying "I do," the couple made the unprecedented move to divorce one another following a string of scandals.
Despite this, the pair are still on good terms and even live together at Royal Lodge on the Windsor Castle estate – the home Andrew, 64, inherited from his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother following her death in 2002. Although Sarah, 65, and Andrew divorced – they have been described as the happiest divorced couple and are often seen together at various royal events – most recently, Christmas at Sandringham.
Speaking in 2018, the best-selling author revealed that she and Andrew have their own rooms on different ends of the fancy residence but still take time to have afternoon tea together. She said: "We sit round the table and have afternoon tea together. It's a very important part of our lives."
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W8Media / MEGA)Sarah added that despite their split, she and Andrew remain "united" for their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. She added: "We're the happiest divorced couple in the world. We're divorced to each other, not from each other. My duty is to him. I am so proud of him. I stand by him and always will. The way we are is our fairytale. The Yorks are a united family. We've shown it."
Although their friendship may be on great terms – their home isn't. It's said that King Charles has been attempting to have his younger brother move from Royal Lodge into the recently refurbished Frogmore Cottage after his allowance and private security detail had been stopped.
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Steve Bell)Royal Lodge, which is estimated to be worth around £31 million for the 31-bed residence has been hit with a string of problems in recent years which come with a hefty price tag to resolve. Recent images show the exterior rendering of the the royal residence has been left in disrepair, with rendering and paint falling off the property and its outbuildings. Black mould has also been seen on various parts of the once lavish home that has been in the Royal Family for decades.
Cracked paintwork has been spotted flaking off a stairwell leading to a door inside the property, situated close to the King and Queen's residence of Windsor Castle. Elsewhere, the large gates on the driveway to the property have also been effected. New images show armed officers of The Met's royal protection branch using a plastic barrier in place of the broken gate.
Despite the home falling into disrepair, Andrew is believed to be adamant that he will not move home and has enough money to remain at Royal Lodge. Andrew signed a 75-year lease on the property back in 2003, just one year before he moved into the home.
According to an updated version of the book Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story, which is being serialised in the Daily Mail, author Robert Hardman cites a source, who explains how Andrew claims he will pay for his home despite his allowance being axed.
The source tells the author: "He claims to have found other sources of income related to his contacts in international trade, sufficient to cover all his costs – which would be a welcome outcome for all parties if that turns out to be the case. But as to whether this funding can be relied upon in the long term is another matter."
Royal Lodge dates back to the mid-17th Century but it wasn't until the mid-1930s that it got its first royal residents. In 1931, it was gifted to George VI and the Queen Mother - the then Duke and Duchess of York - as a weekend retreat. The Queen Mother made several additions to the property and it also features a mini cottage or Wendy house called Y Bwthyn Bach, which was gifted to the late Queen - then Princess Elizabeth - in 1932. Even after the King died in 1952, it was still used as a grace and favour home by the Queen Mother up until she died there in March 2002, with the late Queen by her side.
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