Prince Andrew’s name is once again making headlines after newly revealed emails suggest that his contact with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein continued longer than he previously admitted. The allegations, which directly contradict Andrew’s claim that he severed ties with Epstein in 2010, have reignited questions about his standing within the Royal Family, and how he continues to fund his lavish lifestyle despite losing financial support from King Charles.
The Duke of York, who stepped back from royal duties in 2019 following his disastrous BBC Newsnight interview, has faced calls for further sanctions in the wake of the latest revelations. While his public reputation has suffered repeated blows, Andrew has remained in residence at Royal Lodge, a sprawling 30-room mansion on the Windsor estate, despite reports that the King has urged him to move out.
Royal insiders say Andrew’s occupancy is protected by a long-term lease agreement with the Crown Estate that runs until 2078, leaving little room for the King to force him out.
When Andrew first took on the property in 2003, much of the cost was paid upfront, giving him continued residence even after his public income was withdrawn.
Following the Queen’s death, King Charles reportedly reduced Andrew’s annual financial support, effectively cutting off the funds that once helped maintain his royal lifestyle.
Yet, the Duke has managed to remain financially afloat, thanks, it seems, to private investments and international business connections developed before his fall from grace.
Sources have linked him to commercial dealings in China, the Gulf States, and a now-suspended partnership with a Dutch tech start-up.
However, as pressure mounts, questions over his long-term future persist.
Public opinion strongly supports stripping him of his remaining titles, with a recent YouGov poll showing that two-thirds of Britons back such a move.
While legal mechanisms exist for removing royal titles, they haven’t been used in centuries and would require parliamentary involvement.
For now, Prince Andrew remains a Knight of the Garter, though excluded from public ceremonies.
He is unlikely to appear alongside the rest of the Royal Family at this year’s Christmas gathering in Sandringham, yet another sign of his quiet exile within royal circles.
