Prince Andrew has reportedly received a generous offer from Abu Dhabi’s royal family as pressure in the UK over him leaving Royal Lodge mounts. The disgraced prince, who relinquished the Duke of York title and other honours last week, has been further dragged into the Jeffrey Epstein row recently after the publication of his abuse accuser, Virginia Giuffre’s, posthumous memoir, following allegations he sexually abused her. He has always denied any wrongdoing
Andrew is said to be in talks with King Charles’s representatives about leaving Royal Lodge voluntarily following the furore over the “peppercorn” rent for his 30-room mansion, but is reluctant to give up his residence of more than 20 years. The Daily Telegraph reports that the sticking points in the talks are the location of his new home and financial compensation for funds spent on the lodge.
The prince, who strenuously denies Ms Giuffre’s allegations, has been hit by fresh criticism focused on his property, with some MPs eager to debate the issue in Parliament.
And now it looks like one of his options could be located in the Middle East, where he could find solace in a lavish castle in the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Abu Dhabi.
Royal historian Andrew Lownie claimed the Arabian palace was a gift to Andrew and his former wife, Sarah Ferguson, by the UAE’s ruling royal family – the house of Nahyan.
According to the Sun, ruler Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan made the generous offer as a gesture of “gratitude” for Andrew’s “kindness” to them when he was the UK’s international business envoy.
A source claimed that the UAE’s royals have “made it clear” to Andrew that the palace is his “if he wants it” if his “position in the UK becomes untenable”.
They added: “He has come under enormous pressure following recent developments, and the King and Prince William are nearing the point where they’ve had enough.
“Andrew would be afforded every luxury if he makes the move to the UAE but the climate will take him — and Fergie — some time to get used to. Temperatures often top 50C in the summer, meaning he would have to spend much of his time with air conditioning indoors.”
The grand mansion in the Middle East could be considered a slight downgrade for Andrew, who has been living for years in Windsor’s 30-bedroom, Grade II listed property.
The Arabian palace is located in a “secure diplomatic area” which extends over 1,500 square metres on an exclusive plot reserved for VIPs.
According to the outlet, it features six ensuite air-conditioned bedrooms, an indoor gym complete with a swimming pool, a home cinema, a large kitchen, and live-in staff, including a team of personal chefs.
If Andrew and Fergie end up taking the generous offer by the Arabian royals, he would be following in the footsteps of another disgraced royal, exiled King Juan Carlos I of Spain, who has his own fair share of scandals in the past.
