Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince Edward have “thrown a spanner in the works” as “all hell is breaking loose” amid looming royal crunch talks, sources have claimed.
According to a Palace insider, Sophie, 59, and Edward, 60, are “serious contenders” to move into Royal Lodge, the current home of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson.
King Charles, 75, is understood to be keen for the Duke of York to vacate Royal Lodge in Windsor and downsize to Frogmore Cottage.
However, Prince Andrew, 64, is reluctant to leave his 30-room home, including seven bedrooms, where he has lived since 2003.
Andrew has cited his 75-year lease as an excuse for staying at Royal Lodge, the former home of the Queen Mother.
An insider told Woman’s Day Magazine that the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh could become “caretakers” of Royal Lodge.
They said: “Sophie and Edward are serious contenders to take this project on and do an excellent job.
“They’ve completely thrown a spanner into an already difficult situation, which is why Charles has had to come clean on his somewhat unpopular plan to house Camilla.
Royal Lodge was formerly the home of the Queen MotherPA“Needless to say, all hell’s broken loose and if it’s not sorted out soon, there is a push for William to step in and take back the Lodge, just to settle what’s becoming a very uncomfortable fraternal war.”
Gareth Russell, a royal author, previously spoke to GB News about who could move into Royal Lodge, saying: “The logical choice, of course, would be the Prince and Princess of Wales, but they’ve shown relatively little interest in moving home again.
“They seem quite content where they are.
“It could be the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.”
Prince Edward and Sophie have lived in Bagshot Park since 1999
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Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson divorced in 1996Getty
King Charles has been trying to convince his brother to move into the more modest Frogmore Cottage, previously occupied by Prince Harry and Meghan.
Andrew and Fergie were allowed to remain in Royal Lodge following the Duchess of York’s cancer diagnosis in 2023.
The Duke of York reportedly wants to keep the property as an inheritance for Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
But the monarch is said to be concerned that Queen Camilla will need a home after his death, so he wants to ensure she is set up for life in Windsor.