Inside ex-royals’ move from historic Queen’s lodge

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson are reportedly scrambling for cash and planning secret auctions to sell royal valuables before their eviction from Royal Lodge.

The former Duke and Duchess of York, who were stripped of their titles and ordered to leave the Windsor mansion last year, have allegedly put the Palace on high alert.

Andrew and Fergie, who have lived at Royal Lodge rent-free for 22 years, have been given a deadline to vacate the property by January 31.

The former prince agreed to give up his lease to the sprawling home after years of pressure from King Charles and the Royal Household despite having a “cast iron 75-year lease”.

After their eviction, the former prince will move to the King’s private Sandringham estate, while Fergie will need to make her own living arrangements.

The news comes as Andrew reportedly is unlikely to receive compensation he was entitled to because of the “dilapidated condition” he has left the 30-bedroom mansion.

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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson are reportedly planning secret auctions to sell royal valuables. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The former royal was due to receive £488,000 ($A983,000) for returning the mansion before the end of his 75-year lease, but its dilapidated condition and need for extensive repairs mean he is unlikely to receive any money.

It was revealed earlier this week that no Crown Estate inspections of the property took place during the 22 years Andrew resided there, despite the lease requiring strict maintenance.

Now, the pair are feared to be collecting items such as “private letters, recordings, and jewels” and plotting to “auction them off to the highest bidder”, according to Radar Online.

“The appearance of even a single item would trigger immediate and widespread fallout,” a source claimed to the outlet.

The former Duke and Duchess of York were ordered to leave Royal Lodge.

“But Andrew and Sarah seem intent on turning the Lodge into some sort of pawn shop source by collecting together goods they think they can auction off to the highest bidder.

“If they go ahead with this, their departure from royal life may end in the most volatile way yet.”

Another source said some of the alleged valuables carry “profound historical and emotional significance” due to their links to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

“Even if Andrew argues they are his to sell, the visual impact of putting them on the market would be deeply damaging,” they claimed.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams criticised the lack of inspections as “another example of a sweetheart deal between the Crown Estate and Andrew.”

Andrew and Fergie, who have lived at Royal Lodge rent-free for 22 years. Picture: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images

“This revelation is all the more surprising when you consider the fact that Andrew has been involved in so many high-profile disasters in recent years, and still no one thought to inspect the condition of the property until recently,” Mr Fitzwilliams told the Daily Mail.

In November, the Crown Estate’s chief executive told the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee that it was “common practice” for visits to be conducted only on a “need-only” basis to ensure “effective use of public money”.

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