Prince Andrew's future still uncertain as Frogmore Cottage remains vacant

Overnight a Buckingham Palace spokesperson confirmed that Frogmore Cottage, the former home of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, remains unoccupied and has not been taken over by another royal resident.

The spokesperson would not comment on who would be the property's next inhabitants but it raises question marks around the disgraced Duke of York's planned future residence.

Frogmore Cottage has been vacant since Prince Harry and Meghan were forced to hand back their keys soon after stepping away from royal duties.

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It had previously been earmarked as a potential new home for Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who currently live in the much larger Royal Lodge. But there has been no confirmation as to whether this will eventuate.

After becoming the subject of a civil sexual assault case and being outed as a close friend of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Prince Andrew was stripped of his military titles and royal patronages.

A short statement issued from Buckingham Palace at the time announced the news.

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"With The Queen's approval and agreement, the Duke of York's military affiliations and royal patronages have been returned to The Queen," it read.

"The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen."

Royal sources also revealed at the time that the Duke of York will no longer use the title His Royal Highness (HRH), according to commentator Victoria Murphy.

Despite his fall from grace, Prince Andrew was supported by his mother the late Queen Elizabeth II who helped by his legal bills, amounting to a reported £8 million ($14 million) and ensured Prince Andrew still had a vital role to play within the royal family.

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Amid the fallout, Prince Andrew continued to reside at the Royal Lodge, which is a part of the Crown Estate, with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson where he still resides today.

But since the late queen's passing, uncertainty around Prince Andrews fate is rife with his other royal relatives reportedly being less supportive.

Last month, Charles reportedly gave Andrew an ultimatum after his younger brother refused to move out of the Royal Lodge.

The move comes as Charles reportedly wants to move his eldest son, William the Prince of Wales, and his family into the 30 bedroom estate.

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He reportedly plans to relocate Andrew to Frogmore Cottage, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's former royal residence, which has four bedrooms and spans 40-hectares.

Charles reported desire to downsize Prince Andrew comes as he appears somewhat unrelenting in continuing to restrict the Duke.

As well as a drop in living space, last year Charles reduced his brother's £249,000 (approx. $436,000 AUD) annual allowance, on which he now depends.

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