Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, the daughters of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, are facing a significant change connected to their family’s long-standing association with Royal Lodge, a historic residence in Windsor Great Park. According to reporting by multiple reputable British outlets, the property is expected to revert fully to the Crown Estate, meaning it will not become an inherited family asset for Andrew’s children.
The development marks a shift in the future status of Royal Lodge and clarifies longstanding public misunderstanding about royal property ownership. It also highlights the distinction between private inheritance and Crown property, an important principle within the British monarchy.
What Is Royal Lodge?
Royal Lodge is a Grade II listed residence located within Windsor Great Park. The property has a long royal history and was previously home to notable figures including Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, who lived there from 1952 until her death in 2002.
In 2003, Prince Andrew signed a 75-year lease on Royal Lodge, granted by the Crown Estate. Under the terms of the agreement, he became responsible for maintaining the property and funding significant renovations. Media reports at the time, including coverage by BBC News and The Guardian, indicated that Andrew invested several million pounds into refurbishing the house to bring it up to modern standards.
However, despite this long-term lease, Royal Lodge has never been privately owned by Prince Andrew. It remains Crown property, meaning it cannot be inherited like a personal estate.
Why Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie Will Not Inherit the Property
Legal and property experts have consistently explained that a leasehold agreement does not create an inheritable asset unless specific provisions allow for transfer. If the lease is surrendered, terminated, or renegotiated, the property automatically returns to the Crown Estate.
Property commentators quoted in outlets such as The Times, The Telegraph, and ITV News have confirmed that if Prince Andrew vacates Royal Lodge or the lease arrangement changes, there is no mechanism for the property to pass to Princess Beatrice or Princess Eugenie.
This means:
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The building remains Crown property
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It cannot be sold or inherited privately
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Any future use will be determined by the Crown Estate in consultation with the Royal Household
This clarification ends long-running public speculation that Royal Lodge might eventually become a private inheritance for Andrew’s daughters.
Prince Andrew’s Future Residence
In recent years, multiple reputable media organizations — including BBC News, Reuters, and Sky News — have reported that discussions have taken place regarding Prince Andrew potentially relocating from Royal Lodge to a smaller residence, such as Frogmore Cottage, which is also Crown property.
These reports have emphasized that:
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Any housing arrangements involving royal residences are ultimately subject to approval by the monarch and the Crown Estate
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Financial arrangements surrounding maintenance and security are part of broader Royal Household planning
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No official public statement has confirmed exact timelines or private financial details
Importantly, Prince Andrew has not been convicted of any criminal offense. In 2022, he reached a civil settlement with Virginia Giuffre in the United States, while continuing to deny wrongdoing. Following public controversy, he stepped back from public royal duties in 2019, a fact confirmed by Buckingham Palace at the time.
The Impact on Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have established largely independent adult lives, separate from Royal Lodge.
Princess Eugenie lives primarily with her husband, Jack Brooksbank, and their children. She has previously resided at Ivy Cottage on the grounds of Kensington Palace, and the family has also spent time in Portugal due to Brooksbank’s professional commitments.
Princess Beatrice lives with her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and their children. They are based primarily in the Cotswolds, where Mapelli Mozzi runs a property development business. Beatrice maintains limited but occasional involvement in royal engagements, often focused on charitable causes.
Reputable reporting consistently notes that neither sister is financially dependent on Royal Lodge, nor do they rely on royal property for their housing.
Family Appearances and Public Engagements
Both Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have continued to attend selected royal events when invited. For example, their attendance at church services in Sandringham during Christmas periods has been covered by established outlets such as BBC News, The Independent, and Reuters.
Royal biographers such as Robert Jobson and Hugo Vickers, who regularly contribute commentary to mainstream British media, have explained that invitations to official royal gatherings reflect protocol rather than personal statements. Attendance typically indicates respect for the institution and the monarch, not political positioning within the family.
Privacy and Public Life
In recent years, both sisters have adopted a lower public profile compared with more senior working royals. This is evident in:
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Fewer public engagements reported in the Court Circular
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Limited media interviews
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Greater focus on professional careers, parenting, and private life
This shift aligns with a broader trend among non-working royals to maintain privacy while still supporting charitable causes when appropriate.
Princess Eugenie has worked with organizations focused on anti-slavery initiatives and art-related charities. Princess Beatrice has supported causes related to dyslexia awareness and youth development. These efforts have been covered by reputable publications including the BBC, Vogue UK, and The Guardian.
Royal Property and the Crown Estate Explained
Public misunderstanding around royal homes is common. The Crown Estate manages a large portfolio of land and property on behalf of the nation. It is independent of the monarch’s private wealth, and its profits go to the UK Treasury.
Residences such as:
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Royal Lodge
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Frogmore Cottage
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Kensington Palace apartments
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Windsor Castle properties
are not privately owned in the traditional sense. Occupancy is granted through leases or arrangements approved by the Crown Estate and the monarch. These arrangements can change depending on circumstances.
Therefore, the return of Royal Lodge to the Crown Estate reflects legal and administrative reality rather than a punitive action or personal decision involving the princesses.
Looking Ahead
For Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, the future appears increasingly focused on their own households, careers, and children. Their lives today are shaped more by private family priorities than by royal property arrangements.
The clarification that Royal Lodge will revert to the Crown Estate does not alter their roles, titles, or personal independence. Instead, it underscores the evolving nature of the modern monarchy, where property, funding, and public roles are more clearly regulated and separated from private inheritance.
Conclusion
Royal Lodge has always been Crown property, and reputable reporting confirms that it will remain so. Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie will not inherit the residence because it is not a privately owned family asset.
This development reflects longstanding legal structures within the monarchy rather than a sudden personal change for the sisters. Both have built independent adult lives, maintain selective public roles, and continue to focus on family and professional responsibilities.
As with many aspects of modern royal life, the story of Royal Lodge highlights the increasing transparency around how royal residences are managed — and the distinction between tradition, public duty, and private life.