Prince Andrew has to repaint his Windsor Royal Lodge with two coats of paint every five years, new documents show – as King Charles is said to be threatening to sever ties with the Duke if he refuses to move out.
The disgraced Duke of York was due to have been completed last year, but photos of the building show brickwork exposed under peeling paintwork on the royal estate.
Andrew, who no longer has official duties after being forced to quit over the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, shares the 30-room, £30million mansion with his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York.
The royal’s 73-year lease with the Crown Estate, which he signed in 2003, says that he has a responsibility to ‘repair, renew, uphold, clean and keep in repair and where necessary rebuild’ the home.
This includes repainting its external walls every five years with ‘two coats of paint’ from 2008 and redecorating inside every seven years from 2010.
This means that the exterior decorating was due to have been completed last year, while the interior work is set to be done this year.
The document – which has been seen by The Times – dictates that he must ‘paint with at least two coats of paint and to paper, polish, decorate and otherwise appropriately treat’ the building’s interior walls.
Beatrice’s husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi – the CEO of a property and interior and design company – is said to have tried to ‘yank’ Andrew and Fergie’s wacky design tastes and collecting habits into ‘something much more manageable’.
Andrew signed the lease, paying £250 a week and agreeing to maintain the vast property.
Claims emerged last year that Andrew could not meet the £400,000-a-year upkeep of Royal Lodge, which is thought to be worth £30million.
It was reported that the duke was told he would have to leave the property.
The broadsheet reports that the property appears to have always been a money pit, with some believing bomb explosions nearby during the Second World War could have disturbed its groundworks.
He was granted ‘a stay of execution’, it was reported in October, after he did a deal with the King to carry out the repair works on the 19th century, Grade II-listed property.
But now a friend of King Charles claims he has threatened to sever ties with Prince Andrew if the duke continues to refuse to leave Royal Lodge for his new home in Frogmore Cottage.
The King has long been trying to get his brother – who has no apparent source of income – to leave the Windsor mansion amid rumours the Prince of Wales is keen to take up residence in the property to reflect his role as heir to the throne.
While sources close to the King said he is willing to pay for his brother to live comfortably out of his private funds from the Duchy of Lancaster, the level of funding needs to be appropriate.
A friend of the King told The Times: ‘Unfortunately, if Andrew refuses to leave within a reasonable time frame, then the King may be forced to reassess the whole package of support he provides and the duke would be required to fund the lion’s share of his security, accommodation and lifestyle costs all on his own – which, given the sums involved, is highly unlikely to be possible in the long term.
‘Everyone is mindful of his well-being, and has his best interests at heart, but there are limits of patience and tolerance.’
Following the King’s continued attempts to evict Andrew from Royal Lodge, a pal said: ‘As things stand, life at Royal Lodge is set to become increasingly cold and uncomfortable for the duke.’
Andrew downsizing to live at Frogmore Cottage would make a significant saving, with friends of the King saying he would continue to pay for mobile security, but would not have to provide static security for the building.
Those with knowledge of Frogmore Cottage – which used to house the Duke and Duchess of Sussex – said it is in good condition thanks to the work carried out by Harry and Meghan before their move to the US.
Recent photos have revealed the state of Prince Andrew’s 30-room mansion which has fallen into disrepair amid an ongoing feud between the Duke and Charles.
Andrew first moved into the large mansion in 2004 and now lives there with his ex-wife Sarah.
It was reported that Andrew, who was forced to quit royal duties over the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, may have his royal allowance of £249,000 cut, making it difficult for the Duke to fulfill his promises.
He reportedly told his friends that such a drastic change to his finances would mean he would not be able to cover the costs of the estate.
Despite his possible money worries, sources close to the Duke said back in January: ‘Andrew is going nowhere. He has a cast iron lease.’
The Mail revealed last year that the King had offered his younger brother a more modest property but Andrew reportedly saw this as a ‘demotion’ too far.
The Royal Lodge sits in the heart of Windsor Park, three miles south of Windsor Castle and is part of the Crown Estate.