For over a year now, Frogmore Cottage has stood empty — its gleaming new kitchens untouched, its renovated gardens unwalked, its five bedrooms silent. Once the planned new home for Prince Andrew, Duke of York, this Windsor property sits as a $2.8 million monument to a royal standoff that’s unraveling decades of carefully laid plans. The truth? The late Queen Elizabeth II intended for Andrew to move here in 2022, kicking him out of the sprawling, rent-free Royal Lodge. But he’s refused. And now, the Crown Estate is stuck footing the bill for two empty mansions.
What the Queen Planned — and What Andrew Demands
"Had she lived another year, he would have been out," said one of Queen Elizabeth’s closest advisers, as revealed in Robert Hardman’s authorized biography, Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story. That plan was clear: Andrew, who’s lived in Royal Lodge since 2002 under a 73-year lease signed after the Queen Mother’s death, would trade his 30-room mansion for the more modest Frogmore Cottage. It was a cost-cutting move — and a symbolic one. Royal Lodge was too big, too expensive, and too politically awkward for a prince whose reputation had already crumbled after his 2019 association with Jeffrey Epstein. But Andrew isn’t playing along. According to The Sun on July 21, 2024, he’s now demanding not one, but two properties: Frogmore Cottage for himself — and Adelaide Cottage, currently home to Prince William and Princess Kate, for his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. That’s a direct reversal of the Queen’s intent. And it’s a demand King Charles III isn’t ready to accept.The $2.8 Million Ghost House
Frogmore Cottage wasn’t always empty. In 2019, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle poured their own money — estimated at $1.5 million — into a full renovation before they were forced out by King Charles in 2022. Then, in early 2024, the Palace approved a further $2.8 million upgrade: new insulation, smart home systems, expanded security, and a full landscaping overhaul. All paid for by the Crown Estate. All now sitting unused. "It’s like buying a Ferrari and never driving it," said one royal finance insider who spoke anonymously. "You’re not just wasting money — you’re wasting opportunity. That property could house a junior royal, a charity office, even a cultural exhibit. Instead, it’s a trophy of dysfunction."Why Adelaide Cottage Is the Real Sticking Point
Adelaide Cottage, nestled in the Windsor Estate grounds, became the primary residence for William, Kate, and their three children in 2022 after they moved out of Kensington Palace. It’s intimate, secure, and perfectly scaled for a young family. But Palace sources confirm they’ll be moving to a larger home — possibly the renovated Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace — by August 2024. That’s when Andrew wants to move Sarah in. The problem? It’s not just about space. It’s about precedent. Allowing Sarah Ferguson — a woman who has publicly criticized the monarchy, written memoirs, and appeared on reality TV — to take over a property once occupied by the future king and queen would be seen as a massive concession. Especially when she’s already received tens of millions in book deals and media rights. "She’s not asking for a home," said royal commentator Laura Thompson. "She’s asking for legitimacy. And that’s what the Palace is terrified to give."
The Financial Burden on the Crown Estate
The Crown Estate — which manages royal properties and returns its profits to the Treasury — is now maintaining three major vacant residences: Royal Lodge, Frogmore Cottage, and the now-empty Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace. Annual upkeep for these properties exceeds $5 million. Meanwhile, Andrew’s 50-year lease on Royal Lodge continues to cost the taxpayer an estimated $400,000 per year in maintenance, security, and staff salaries — all while he pays nothing. Andrew’s latest proposal? Pass his Royal Lodge lease to his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Both already live in London with their families. Neither has ever lived in Windsor. Neither has expressed interest in the property. But the idea — if accepted — would effectively turn Royal Lodge into a private royal asset, sidestepping the Crown Estate’s oversight entirely.Harry’s Warning and the Bigger Picture
Amid all this, Prince Harry made headlines in July 2024 with a quiet but powerful statement: "The UK is my home. The UK is central to the heritage of my children... That cannot happen if it’s not possible to keep them safe when they are on UK soil." His words are a reminder: this isn’t just about property. It’s about identity, legacy, and whether the monarchy can still offer a meaningful connection to its future generations — or if it’s becoming a museum of unresolved conflicts.
What Happens Next?
King Charles III has final authority. He’s already removed Andrew from royal duties, stripped his military titles, and cut his public funding. But the housing issue is trickier — it’s legal, financial, and deeply personal. If Charles refuses Andrew’s two-property demand, the Duke may dig in. If he agrees, the precedent could open the floodgates for other royals to renegotiate leases. For now, Frogmore Cottage remains empty. The lights are off. The doors are locked. And the Queen’s plan? Still waiting for someone to turn the key.Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Frogmore Cottage still empty despite the $2.8 million renovation?
Frogmore Cottage remains vacant because Prince Andrew refuses to move in, despite the renovation being completed in early 2024. The property was intended as his replacement for Royal Lodge under Queen Elizabeth II’s plan, but Andrew now demands both Frogmore Cottage and Adelaide Cottage — a demand the Palace has not approved. With no agreement reached, the property sits unused, turning a $2.8 million investment into a financial liability.
What role does Sarah Ferguson play in this housing dispute?
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, is seeking to move into Adelaide Cottage — currently occupied by Prince William and Princess Kate — as part of her husband’s housing demand. Though she has no official royal status since her divorce, her influence and media presence make her a key player. Palace insiders believe her knowledge of royal affairs gives her leverage, with some speculating she may use her memoirs or interviews as bargaining chips to secure the property.
How is the Crown Estate affected by these vacant properties?
The Crown Estate is bearing the cost of maintaining three major vacant royal residences: Royal Lodge, Frogmore Cottage, and Kensington Palace’s Apartment 1A. Annual upkeep exceeds $5 million. Meanwhile, Prince Andrew’s 50-year lease on Royal Lodge continues to cost taxpayers $400,000 per year in maintenance — despite him paying no rent. This financial strain is intensifying pressure on the monarchy to resolve the housing impasse.
Why did Prince Harry speak out about the UK being his children’s home?
Prince Harry’s July 2024 statement underscores his concern that his children’s connection to British heritage is being undermined by the monarchy’s internal conflicts. He’s signaling that without clear, safe, and respectful access to the UK — including its royal institutions — his children may never feel fully rooted in their ancestral home. His words highlight the human cost of the housing standoff, framing it as more than a property dispute.
Could Princess Beatrice or Eugenie take over Royal Lodge?
Prince Andrew has proposed transferring his Royal Lodge lease to his daughters, but neither has shown interest. Both live in London with their families and have no public ties to Windsor. Transferring the lease would require King Charles’s approval and could set a precedent allowing other royals to privatize Crown assets — a move the Palace is likely to resist to maintain financial transparency and public trust.
What was Queen Elizabeth II’s original plan for Prince Andrew’s housing?
According to her adviser’s testimony in Robert Hardman’s biography, the Queen intended to move Prince Andrew from the oversized, rent-free Royal Lodge into the smaller, renovated Frogmore Cottage by 2022. She viewed his continued occupancy as financially unsustainable and symbolically damaging after his Epstein scandal. The plan was part of a broader effort to modernize the monarchy’s public image and reduce taxpayer burdens — a plan now stalled by Andrew’s refusal to comply.