King Charles III is reportedly growing increasingly frustrated with his younger brother, Prince Andrew, over his refusal to vacate the Royal Lodge, a grand 30-room mansion located on the Windsor estate.
The Duke of York and the Royal Lodge
Prince Andrew has resided in the Royal Lodge since 2003 with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson. The Duke secured a 75-year lease on the property for a symbolic annual rent of £260,000, a deal arranged by their late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. As part of this agreement, Andrew is responsible for maintaining the mansion.
Changing Roles and Expectations
In the wake of his public scandal involving convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Prince Andrew’s status within the royal family shifted dramatically. He stepped down from his role as a working royal in 2019. Now, King Charles III is pressing him to move to a smaller, more modest home, but Andrew has been steadfast in his refusal.
King Charles Wants the Issue Resolved
A source close to the king revealed, “It’s two years into the King’s reign, and he wants this settled. It can be handled gracefully, or it could get messy. Either way, it needs to be resolved.”
Adding to the pressure, King Charles has reportedly cut the £3 million annual security funding he was privately providing to Andrew. Staff at the Royal Lodge have also been notified that their contracts will not be renewed after October.
Andrew’s Limited Choices
Faced with mounting pressure, Prince Andrew has two main options: either pay the significant security costs himself or agree to relocate to a smaller royal property. One insider noted, “He’s become trapped by his own pride.”
There are rumors that the king is considering renting out the Royal Lodge for approximately £1 million per year if Andrew doesn’t comply. The property was once the home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle before their move to California.
How Long Can Andrew Resist?
With King Charles pushing for a swift resolution, it remains to be seen how long Prince Andrew can hold out. The standoff has cast a shadow over the family, and it’s clear the king wants the matter resolved sooner rather than later.
