Sarah Ferguson's crucial role in Royal Lodge as Prince Andrew refuses to move out
Despite divorcing back in the 1990s Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew have maintained a close and loyal friendship.
Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park during the 1980s
Sarah Ferguson has played a crucial role in helping Prince Andrew to stay at Royal Lodge, his home in Windsor Great Park, by covering the costs of some of the repair work.
The Duke of York, who has been forced to step back from Royal Family public duties and whose finances are subject to much speculation, signed a 75-year lease on the property in 2003, which leaves him responsible for any maintenance.
Crucial repair work on Royal Lodge has fallen behind, and with Andrew unlikely to make a royal comeback anytime soon the support of Fergie has been a lifeline for him.
A source told Express.co.uk: "Sarah saying she was able to help support Andrew and cover the costs involved with repairing Royal Lodge was part of the reason why the King was happy to allow them to stay in the property."
The insider also stated that since the Duchess stepped up and claimed that she was in the "position" to "support [Andrew] and the rest of the family through my work", the Duke of York has so far been able to hold onto his beloved property.
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So far, Andrew has forked out hundreds of thousands of pounds on refurbishments at Royal Lodge, including repairs to the roof and an external paint job.
The source said: "The exterior paintwork could only be looked at once the weather improved, and that is a task usually conducted every five years.
"Repairs to the roof were undertaken last summer, and the paintwork and windows will receive care and attention this year. Andrew is trying to keep within the terms of his lease."
They added: "Everything is being brought up to date by the end of this summer. Works have been in the pipeline for quite some time, hence why the scaffolding and skips have already been placed on the property and work began this week."
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It has previously been reported that King Charles was determined that his disgraced younger brother move out of Royal Lodge and into the smaller Frogmore Cottage, which had at one time been the home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
However, the insider revealed the Duke of York is not exactly keen on the idea, saying: "Andrew doesn’t want to move into Frogmore Cottage as he sees it as a major step down.
"The Yorks make use of the cottage anyway, for Beatrice or Eugenie when they visit with the children, but it’s not something they envision as a full-time residence. It’s not grand enough for Andrew."
As non-working royals, Andrew's daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie make occasional appearances at major royal events, but like the rest of the family , ave kept quiet about the allegations surrounding him, which he has always vehemently denied.
Emily Nash, royal editor at Hello! magazine, explained why the sisters were seen at a garden party last month, saying: "Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and their cousins were at the Garden Party to support the Prince of Wales because the Princess is continuing her recovery, but they are not taking on official roles.
"They've attended royal engagements in the past, sometimes 'in attendance' with the late Queen, for example, so they might appear at other events over the summer as members of the King's family."