Public anger mounts as activists call for his removal from the Windsor estate
Prince Andrew is facing renewed backlash as protests outside Windsor intensify, with campaigners demanding that he vacate Royal Lodge — the grand residence he has occupied for more than two decades without paying substantial rent.
The Duke of York, who was stripped of his royal titles and honours, is said to be clinging to what remains of his royal lifestyle. According to reports, he has largely withdrawn from public view, spending long hours inside the 30-room mansion on the Windsor estate.
Last week, Buckingham Palace issued a statement in which Andrew explained his decision to stop using his titles, saying he made the choice after discussions with King Charles and other family members. He acknowledged that the allegations against him had become a “distraction” from the work of the monarchy.
However, the statement has done little to calm growing criticism. Members of the anti-monarchy group Republic staged a protest at the entrance to Windsor Great Park and near Royal Lodge earlier this week, calling for the disgraced royal to be removed from the property.
Reports from The Sun claim that Andrew spends much of his time alone, often watching television or playing video games, and is known to have a peculiar attachment to a collection of teddy bears kept in his bedroom.
The decision means that Andrew’s titles, along with his HRH status, are ‘in abeyance’. The decision was taken in consultation with other family members, including the King and Prince William. His Majesty is said to be glad of the outcome. However Andrew will remain at Royal Lodge https://t.co/i248nRZWxM
— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) October 17, 2025
Public scrutiny has only deepened following a National Audit Office report that revealed details of Andrew’s 75-year lease on the residence, signed in 2003. The document confirmed that the Duke pays an annual rent of just “one peppercorn (if demanded)” — a symbolic legal term meaning the payment is purely formal.
As pressure continues to mount, questions remain over how long Andrew can resist calls to vacate Royal Lodge — a property that has become a focal point of public frustration over privilege and accountability within the royal family.
