Prince Andrew’s housing arrangements are under renewed pressure after he confirmed in mid-October that he would stop using his royal titles. He continues to deny any wrongdoing related to his association with Jeffrey Epstein, yet the focus has shifted to Royal Lodge, the Windsor residence he has occupied since 2003.

Fresh documents and media reporting outline why scrutiny has intensified. The 30-room Royal Lodge is held on a 75‑year lease signed in 2003 with a “peppercorn” rent if demanded, following a £1m premium and at least £7.5m of renovation costs completed in 2005. The lease runs to 2078, and if surrendered before 2028 a compensation formula applies.

Politicians now want formal oversight. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has called for Prince Andrew to give evidence to a parliamentary committee, and the prime minister has said select-committee scrutiny of Crown Estate arrangements would be appropriate. Yet Downing Street has declined to make time for a Commons debate this month, arguing other priorities should take precedence.

Why this matters beyond the gossip pages: the Crown Estate returns all net profits to the Treasury, with a share used to calculate the Sovereign Grant. In 2024/25 the Estate reported about £1.1bn in net revenue profit, largely due to offshore wind option fees, while the Sovereign Grant rate has been cut from 25% to 12% to channel more money to public services. That frames questions about whether long leases on prized assets deliver fair value.

If the duke does move, one option long discussed is Frogmore Cottage in Windsor Home Park. It is a Grade II listed property within Frogmore’s grounds and has historically served as a discreet, self-contained home. It was also the Sussexes’ UK base before they left frontline royal roles. Reports suggest it has been in the mix of options presented previously.

Adelaide Cottage is another candidate. The Grade II* listed cottage in the Home Park had been occupied by the Prince and Princess of Wales, who are relocating to Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park in 2025, freeing Adelaide for potential reassignment. It is significantly smaller than Royal Lodge and sits close to Frogmore Cottage.

Beyond Windsor, Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk offers privacy and a lighter footprint than opening the main house. Former housekeeper Teresa Thompson once described it as “small and intimate”, and it became Prince Philip’s base after he stepped back from public life. Sandringham spans roughly 20,000 acres, offering space, seclusion and existing security.

Scotland brings further possibilities. Balmoral is privately owned by the monarch and covers about 50,000 acres, with limited public access during the royal summer. In the far north, the Castle of Mey-managed by a trust-operates as a visitor attraction in summer and has been associated with royal family stays, suggesting flexible accommodation within an established estate network.

There is also talk of a move overseas. The Sun has reported that Abu Dhabi’s ruler offered Prince Andrew use of a palace, a claim repeated in other outlets. This has not been confirmed by officials and remains unverified, but it underlines how the search for a new base has spilled beyond the UK estate map.

Eco Current’s take is practical: transparency and retrofit should sit alongside any relocation decision. Publishing summary terms for high‑value Crown Estate residential leases would improve public trust; an NAO‑style review could assess value for money; and any future occupation should come with a fabric‑first energy plan aligned to Historic England guidance, with measured performance improvements over time. That approach can cut emissions and running costs while respecting historic fabric.