One is fourth in line to the throne and lives in royal splendour in Windsor.

The other has a half-built home and recently spent time at Her Majesty's pleasure.

But, according to high society magazine Tatler, Nicholas Hoogstraten is more eligible than Prince Andrew.

In its latest edition, which hits the shelves tomorrow, the magazine lists the ten unmarried men with the best country homes in Britain.

Mr Hoogstraten, whose manslaughter conviction was overturned in December, is placed at number nine.

His property, Hamilton Palace outside Framfield, near Uckfield, comes complete with an art gallery and Mr Hoogstraten's own mausoleum - if it is ever finished.

The Duke of York's seven-bedroom Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park only gets him tenth place.

Both, however, are beaten by Viscount Gage, whose family seat at Firle near Lewes is described as "chateau-like."

The magazine states: "Firle is home to an incredible collection of paintings by Van Dyck, Gainsborough, Rubens and Reynolds, among others.

"Divorced 20 years ago, Lord Gage must surely be ready to settle down again. His only problem is the spirit of the sinister Mrs Danvers-like butler, Peter, which is said to haunt the house."

Lord Gage was a little taken aback at being nominated as fourth-most eligible bachelor but said he thought it was "lovely".

He told The Argus: "After the age of 69, I do not think one is terribly eligible but my son is very eligible. It's very flattering, although I'm a little surprised. This is the age of the older man I suppose."

Two years ago, in an interview with The Argus, he said prospective wives would have a difficult time because of the social expectations of the wife of the Lord of the Manor. But he still maintained a number of younger girlfriends.

He said: "The village is a very good judge. It won't tolerate any airs and graces.

"When I was young and, hopefully, good looking, I never had a girlfriend. Now I'm old and hoary, I do. I'm much better with women than I used to be."

Mr Hoogstraten, who has five children from three different partners, will be disappointed not to top the list, according to Anthony Browne, the architect who designed Hamilton Palace.

The country retreat is described as a "£40 million fantasy palace, to complement his homes in Cannes, Cap Ferrat, Monte Carlo, Maryland, Zimbabwe, Florida and Barbados".

The report suggests the finishing touches to the Mugabe Suite could be helped with a woman's hand.

Mr Browne said: "I think Nick would be a bit upset because he considers himself the foremost eligible bachelor. But he does not have bees in his bonnet about his place in society - and I think he will find it quite funny.

"To my knowledge, construction has not restarted on Hamilton Palace because the owner has had other matters to deal with. But it was always a long-term project and there was always the possibility of it not being finished in his lifetime.

"It was meant to be a statement about power, money and a certain type of aesthetic construction which is almost the opposite of everybody else's."

The Tatler list is topped by the Marquess of Cholmondeley, who owns the 18th Century Houghton estate in Norfolk.

Editor Geordie Greig said: "The ladies of Sussex are lucky to have two such wonderful houses each with an eligible bachelor in tow."