Prince Andrew must give Windsor home paint job every five years

Prince Andrew is forced to repaint his Windsor home “with two coats of paint” every five years under the terms of his lease, it has been revealed.

New details of the Duke of York’s extensive upkeep requirements at the 30-bedroom Royal Lodge come amid ongoing wrangling between the disgraced Duke and the monarch about his living situation.

The Duke’s 75-year lease agreement with the Crown Estate, which was signed in 2003 and has now been seen by The Times, states that he must “repair, renew, uphold, clean and keep in repair and where necessary rebuild” the home.

It adds that he must repaint the external walls “with two coats of paint” every five years from 2008 onwards – work that was due to have been completed last year.

Meanwhile, inside the house, the Duke has agreed to “paint with at least two coats of paint and to paper, polish, decorate and otherwise appropriately treat” the walls every seven years from 2010 onwards.

The King has reportedly told his younger brother, who was forced to step down as working royal over his association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, to vacate the property and downsize to nearby Frogmore Cottage – previously the home of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. 

The King, 75, has made clear that he is not willing to continue to fund his brother’s lifestyle at the 93-acre property, where the Duke currently lives and shares with his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York.

However, the Duke’s determination to remain at Royal Lodge, which was home to the Queen Mother until her death in 2002, has proved a bone of contention over the last year.

His lease requirement to maintain security as well as the stringent and expensive upkeep of the home will require the Duke to conjure up a small fortune with no discernible income should the King decide to pull the purse-strings.

The monarch currently funds his brother’s £3 million-per-year security bill since the Home Office removed his police detail once he stepped down, as well as grants him a living allowance thought to be well in excess of £1 million annually.

A source close to the King told The Times: “Everyone is mindful of his wellbeing, and has his best interests at heart, but there are limits of patience and tolerance.” 

Another added the move can be done “with grace and dignity or it can be forced upon him”.

The Telegraph has previously reported that the Duke intends to honour the terms of the lease he signed on in 2003, which has 55 more years to run.

Buckingham Palace has declined to comment.