Shock pictures show Prince Andrew’s Royal Lodge in disrepair with cracks & black mould amid King axing £1m allowance
THE Duke of York looks to have let his Windsor mansion go to ruin as his money problems pile up.
The 31-bed Royal Lodge appears in disrepair with cracks and black mould over the exterior walls.
Prince Andrew’s Royal Lodge appears in disrepair with cracks and black mould over the exterior walls[/caption]Shocking pictures of the property emerged days after it was revealed King Charles has cut off his brother’s £1million-a-year allowance.
Prince Andrew, 64, spent an estimated £7million on repairs when he took on the Royal Lodge lease in 2003 following the death of the Queen Mother.
But now crumbling paintwork can be seen on outbuildings and the gatehouse.
The outside walls are also mouldy and falling away amid Andrew’s continuing financial woes.
It comes as King Charles prepares to make millions from a controversial mining operation, putting him at odds with environmental charities.
We previously revealed how 19th-century Grade-II listed Royal Lodge needs extensive repairs, costing £400,000 a year.
However, Charles, 75, has allegedly instructed the Keeper of the Privy Purse to completely remove financial ties with his scandal-hit brother.
A source told royal writer Robert Hardman: “The Duke is no longer a financial burden on the King.”
Andrew was stripped of his roles by Queen Elizabeth II after forking out millions of pounds to settle Virginia Giuffre’s sex claims case.
He denies any wrongdoing.
Hardman claims the late Queen would have reluctantly booted Andrew out of Royal Lodge and into the smaller Frogmore Cottage nearby if she were still alive.
As part of his Royal Lodge lease, Andrew must maintain the upkeep of the mansion – valued on the open market at £30million — which he shares with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
It boasts 40 hectares of woods and manicured lawns.
Sentry posts guard the grounds which include eight cottages and accommodation for police and security.
Andrew has so far resisted eviction efforts, citing his lease agreement, and rejected downsizing at Frogmore Cottage.
Andrew spent an estimated £7million on repairs when he took on the Royal Lodge lease in 2003[/caption]The Sun previously revealed a National Audit Office report confirmed Andrew paid £1million for a 75-year lease.
However, if he left in the first 25 years — before 2028 — he would receive compensation for his original payment on repairs, with that amount shrinking each year.
The report states: “The maximum compensation of just under £7million is subject to annual reductions over the first 25 years of the term of the lease, so that at the end of that period, there is nil compensation payable.”
The grounds also cover the All Saints Chapel where Queen Camilla attends Sunday services.
Prince William and wife Kate do not want to move into Royal Lodge with their family and Camilla is also not keen.