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King Charles intends to reward Duchess Sophie and Prince Edward but this move would likely make Andrew unhappy. As the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie and Edward have stepped up to fill important royal duties amid some recent health concerns for senior members of the family.
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Duchess Sophie and Prince Edward are reportedly in line for a big reward from King Charles as the monarch looks to recognize their growing contributions to the crown since taking on the titles of Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh in 1999. Over the past year, Sophie and Edward have significantly increased their royal engagements to fill gaps left by other family members undergoing health issues. Prince Edward undertook 297 royal engagements in 2022, the third highest number among working royals. Sophie completed 219 engagements herself last year.
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According to new reports, King Charles may reward the couple by gifting them Royal Lodge, a prominent property within the Windsor estate that is currently occupied by Prince Andrew. As the eldest son of the late Queen Elizabeth, Andrew has lived at Royal Lodge since 2003. However, the king is said to want Andrew to downsize and vacate the home to make way for Edward and Sophie. Royal commentator Richard K said in a recent interview that Charles relishes the idea of introducing Royal Lodge to his younger brother Prince Edward as a way to recognize Edward and Sophie's increased contributions.
Ever since taking their titles in 1999, Edward and Sophie have lived at Bagshot Park, located just outside Windsor, where they have raised their two children - Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex. However, moving them into Royal Lodge could significantly disrupt family dynamics, especially given Andrew's reluctance to leave. It's understood that Andrew signed a 75-year lease for Royal Lodge in 2003 and has resisted all efforts to force him out, even as King Charles has taken steps like removing Andrew's taxpayer-funded security detail in the wake of his settlement in the civil sex abuse case against Virginia Giuffre.
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The increased workload undertaken by Edward and Sophie over the past year has been crucial in filling gaps left by other senior royals dealing with health issues. In early 2022, Prince Charles and Camilla both tested positive for Covid-19, with Charles experiencing mild symptoms. Around the same time, the Queen was experiencing what were described as "episodic mobility issues" that eventually led to her quarterly medical checkups being moved from Windsor to London for ease of access to specialists.
In June, Prince William was diagnosed with Covid-19, just days after attending the service of thanksgiving for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee with large crowds. His illness forced him to cancel planned engagements. Meanwhile, the Queen's health woes persisted, making her increasingly reliant on a walking stick and resulting in her withdrawing from several public events at the latter stages of her record-breaking reign.
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Through it all, Sophie and Edward have stepped up their engagements. In 2023 alone, Edward undertook 297 engagements, making him one of the hardest working royals after the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Earl and Countess of Wessex. Sophie conducted 219 engagements of her own, keeping up a similarly impressive schedule. Their commitment to royal duties increased to fill significant gaps at a time when other family members were facing health limitations.
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As king, Charles is said to want to acknowledge and support the contributions of working royals like Sophie and Edward. The potential shift in their living arrangements at Royal Lodge comes as Charles restructures the monarchy and ensures that the most active family members are provided with suitable accommodation befitting their roles. However, compelling Andrew to relinquish Royal Lodge, which he has occupied for nearly two decades, threatens to cause family discord - especially given Andrew's apparent reluctance to cooperate with the king's wishes. Whether Charles can maneuver this real estate plan without sparking tensions with his younger brother remains to be seen.
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