Sunninghill Park was previously a happy residence for Prince Andrew and the then Duchess of York. Since its sale into private hands in 2007, it has become a symbol of blight. This property is located in beautiful Berkshire, immediately bordering the Queen’s own estate. Designed by Sir James Dunbar-Nasmith in 1988, it was used as a royal residence for over twenty years. In recent years, the estate has unfortunately fallen into a state of disrepair, leading to questions about its future.
Sunninghill Park was originally commissioned as a wedding gift for the Duke and Duchess of York—now King George VI and Queen Mary. In tabloid hell, it became known as “South York” for its appearance like a Texas-style cattle ranch popularized by the soap “Dallas.” The property received an inordinate amount of media attention while still formally recognized as a residence for a royal. It hasn’t housed anyone since the Duchess and her daughters moved out seven years ago.
The Duke of York sold Sunninghill Park for £15 million in September 2007. This sale exceeded the asking price by £3 million and the advised price of £15 million by £10 million. The new owner is rumored to be a Kazakh billionaire, with possible ownership cited as Gaukhar Ashkenazi and Timur Kulibayev. Kulibayev is the son of former Kazakh construction minister Kairbek Kulibaev. He’s married to the daughter of Nursultan Nazarbayev, former president of Kazakhstan.
That sale was intermediated by the businessman Kenes Rakishev, a Kazakh oligarch. Though the deal was quite profitable, both Prince Andrew and his spokesmen have strongly denied any wrongdoing over the sale.
“We cannot be clearer that there is no question of the Duke of York having benefited from his position as special representative in his sale of the property,” – the prince’s spokesman.
“Any suggestion that he has abused his public position is completely untrue. The sale was a straight commercial transaction.” – the prince’s spokesman.
Now, with Sunninghill Park now in decay, local neighbors have worried for the future of its parkland. Broken windows, peeling paintwork and overgrown gardens have turned the now-proud estate into a blemish.
The local community is still eager to see what happens next with Sunninghill Park. Given its prime location and historical significance, many speculate whether new owners will invest in revitalizing the estate or if it will continue to languish in neglect.
“It would be worth a good deal less today, especially in its current condition, of course.”
As the years go by, the story of Sunninghill Park moves from one of royal glamour towards a cautionary tale of crumbling glory. This shift speaks to larger cultural narratives about the upkeep of legacy spaces and their function in contemporary society.
As time passes, Sunninghill Park’s legacy shifts from one of royal glamour to a cautionary tale of faded grandeur. This transition reflects broader themes within society regarding the maintenance of heritage properties and their role in modern life.