Just In: Prince Andrew faces fresh humiliation at Royal Lodge as ‘impossible’ problem arises…..See More

Prince Andrew is caught in a new wave of embarrassment as he grapples with the “quite impossible” task of maintaining the vast gardens at his £30 million Royal Lodge. The Duke of York, who’s been embroiled in a spat with King Charles over his stay at the 30-room Berkshire abode, is finding it tough to keep up with the hefty £400,000 annual costs.

The 21-acre grounds have reportedly fallen into disarray , a challenge that even Todd Longstaffe-Gowan, gardener at Historic Royal Palaces, has deemed too daunting. Speaking to the Mail, Longstaffe-Gowan said: ” It is in a shocking state. I won’t be knocking that into shape! It is impossible! I’ve been at Kensington Palace for 30 years and I think Royal Lodge would be quite impossible.”

The Grade II-listed mansion, once home to the Queen Mother, boasts a gardeners’ cottage, six lodge cottages, and a Chapel Lodge, according to House and Garden.

Despite the upkeep struggles, Andrew, who resides there with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, hopes to pass down the property to his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Last year, reports surfaced that the Duke had managed to secure funding from an undisclosed source to stay put at Royal Lodge, defying Charles’ preference for him to downsize to somewhere like Frogmore Cottage .

Royal commentator Emily Andrews has weighed in on the tense situation regarding Royal Lodge, suggesting that if Prince Andrew decides to vacate, the King could benefit financially by leasing it through the Crown Estate. During her appearance on Channel 5’s “The Battle for Royal Lodge: Andrew vs Charles,” she remarked: “It is a stand-off that I don’t see nearing any kind of resolution. I think Andrew will want to remain at Royal Lodge for as long as he possibly can.”, reports Aberdeen Live .

Meanwhile, fellow Royal expert Jennie Bond has hinted at a possible future for the property, proposing that it could serve as an ideal home for the Prince and Princess of Wales, stating it would “seem to be a very suitable place in the future for the Prince and Princess of Wales”.