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Privacy NoticeThe ongoing dispute over Royal Lodge, with King Charles attempting to evict his brother, may be having an unintended consequence – the apparent side-lining of Sarah Ferguson from royal events. Despite her surprise appearance at the Royal Family’s Christmas Day walkabout at Sandringham and attendance at the Easter service, it’s believed her public appearances are becoming increasingly rare. The 64 year old also attended King Constantine of Greece’s memorial service at St George’s Chapel in February 2024, sparking speculation about a potential Royal comeback. However, it’s thought that King Charles is intentionally keeping her out of the spotlight due to her close relationship with Prince Andrew, her ex-husband.

(Image: (Image: Getty))

The couple, who divorced in 1996, have maintained a friendly relationship and share two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Notably, Fergie was not asked to step in when the Princess of Wales and King Charles were dealing with health issues, a role that Princess Anne and Duchess Sophie took on instead. According to Craig Brown, author of A Voyage Around the Queen, “she’s not the King’s kind of person.” Craig also criticised Sarah, claiming she is using the late Queen’s corgis, Muick and Sandy, which she co-owns with Prince Andrew, to “increase her own celebrity” since the Queen’s passing in 2022. Andrew, who shares the 30-room Royal Lodge with his ex-wife Sarah, is reportedly adamant about not leaving the mansion that has been his home since the early 2000s. Charles is urging him to move to a smaller property and plans to stop paying for his security detail next month as a way to convince his brother. However, the embattled royal is standing firm in his decision to stay.

Sarah Ferguson lives with Prince Andrew
(Image: (Image: Getty))

In 2021, it was revealed that Andrew was finding it difficult to cover the £400,000-a-year maintenance costs of the £30 million property. The King has reportedly been keen to stop his private funding for security on the estate and relocate Andrew to more humble living quarters, such as nearby Frogmore Cottage. However, Andrew signed a 75-year lease on the property back in 2003, which means his brother has no legal right to evict him. This deadlock has led royal insiders to suggest that the only solution is for a family member to “make Andrew see sense”.

Prince Andrew has lived at Royal Lodge for almost 20 years
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Speaking on the Palace Confidential podcast, The Mail on Sunday’s Royal Correspondent Natasha Livingstone said: “Prince Andrew has been living in the Royal Lodge for about 20 years. The problem is that because he’s not a working royal any more, the public aren’t funding him. But Andrew has his name on the lease for the Lodge, and tied up with that is that he has responsibilities to maintain it.”Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnFergiePrince AndrewPrincess BeatricePrincess EugenieChristmas

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Last Update: October 16, 2024