S Poddar
Prince Andrew has reportedly refused to quit the Royal Lodge despite withdrawing all financial support by King Charles, according to reports, heightening tension between the two royals in the process.
Amused by their squabble, one starts to wonder at the degrading state of the 31-room estate that speaks to its serious wear and tear. The Duke of York has been told that remedial works undertaken on issues like mold, cracks in structural integrity, or general decay would run to around £400,000 a year. According to experts, should these go unchecked, they might lead to problems such as respiratory issues caused by allergies and asthma.
Property expert Terry Fisher said the estate was at risk in a very serious way. Without intervention, the “disgraced” prince may face health risks as well as other financial and administrative consequences. “If Andrew doesn’t tackle the visible mould and structural cracks soon, it could have far-reaching effects,” Fisher said.
For one, he explained, if left unchecked, damp and mould can become a greater health risk and even impact the liveability in some areas. Fisher also insisted that allowing structural problems to creep in unchecked may mean scrutiny from the Crown Estate regarding the responsibility over the property.
The deeper problem illustrated by the unfolding situation is broader and complex tensions within the royal family, where King Charles’s pulling of his support weighs down on the prince’s ability to sustain such historic property.
