Prince Andrew will not leave his £30million home, Royal Lodge on the Windsor Estate, putting him on a collision course with King Charles.
The Duke of York is stubborn and refuses to leave the 30-room mansion, his home for more than 20 years.
Charles has made it known that Andrew is expected to move out of the house, where he lives with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, and into Prince Harry’s former home, Frogmore Cottage.
It is widely believed that the Royal Lodge, once occupied by the Queen Mother, was reserved for Prince William and his family.
As first revealed in The Mail on Sunday, the King is cutting the £250,000 annual grant the late Queen gave Andrew – meaning he can no longer afford the upkeep of the mansion.
It is widely believed that the Royal Lodge, once occupied by the Queen Mother, was reserved for Prince William and his family
Friends of the Yorks say Andrew, who has been forced to step back as a frontline Royal due to his association with millionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, ‘refuses to budge’ from the Royal Lodge
Andrew seeks face-to-face talks with his brother.
Friends of the Yorks say Andrew, who has been forced to step back as a frontline Royal due to his association with pedophile millionaire Jeffrey Epstein, is ‘refusing to budge’ from the Royal Lodge. They say he is in a bad mood and has become reclusive. A friend said: ‘He’s so fragile. He refuses to see anyone. It has been his family home for 20 years. Is it really wise to kick him out?
“He fears that now that the coronation is over, the knives are out. He fears the Royals will even cut the utilities to get him out of there. But we are dealing with human beings, not real estate.
Andrew and Sarah living together, their daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, are regular visitors.
Another friend said: ‘Eugenie is heavily pregnant and her parents are expecting the new grandchild this summer.
“Don’t forget that Sarah was the glue of the family throughout this nightmare.”
It is understood the Palace initially said the Yorks had to vacate the property – which they rent – by September, but for authorities to now accept such a tight timetable is unrealistic.
As first revealed in The Mail on Sunday, the King is cutting the £250,000 annual grant the late Queen gave Andrew – meaning he can no longer afford the upkeep of the mansion.
Frogmore Cottage, renovated to a high standard, became vacant after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan, left to live in California
Frogmore Cottage, renovated to a high standard, became vacant after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan, left to live in California.
Negotiations over the Royal Lodge – which began during the reign of the late Queen – are continuing. It’s understandable that Andrew is frustrated that the talks are between officials rather than between brothers – and wants that to change.
Friends suggest he could consider a compromise deal if Charles “does the right thing” and talks to his brother face to face.
One said: ‘If Charles wants Andrew to play ball and help the family through these tough times, aren’t there better ways to go about it?’
‘Why not do the decent thing, sit down and talk?
“If they need the house for William, maybe Andrew should know. Maybe William should invite his uncle over for tea and explain himself.
“Or why doesn’t Charles invite his brother to a meeting and ask him if he would leave Royal Lodge to help his nephew and the future of the monarchy? And agree on a schedule acceptable to both parties.
“Is it so difficult to have a little modesty? There are real people at the heart of it all.
“He just lost his mother. Who, immediately afterwards, would want to be expelled by his brother?