Prince Andrew is “not going anywhere” in his battle with the king over his royal residence, a source has claimed, as the royal feud between the brothers deepens.
Amid controversy over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the Duke of York, 64, stepped down from public duties in May 2020 and was subsequently stripped of his royal titles. However, the prince has continued to live at the royal residence Royal Lodge, the 30-room mansion he has called home for two decades.
Charles has been urging his younger brother to leave the property and move into small Frogmore Cottage, but Andrew has refused to move, much to his older brother's frustration. The duke has the lease of Royal Lodge, while the king controls the money, and consequently the brothers have become embroiled in what insiders have called the “siege of Royal Lodge,” according to Sun.
The latest is a suggestion from a royal source that the monarch could “reconsider the levels of support he is willing to provide” if the duke does not comply with his request.
The source said The times on Friday: “The King's kindness is not unlimited and there is a very good option for Andrew to move to Frogmore Cottage, recently vacated by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, which also has the advantage of being within the security cordon of the Windsor Castle, therefore. reducing the need for 24 hour alternative security for Royal Lodge.
“It is taking longer than desirable to recognize the reality of the situation, although it is clearly the most sensible course of action.
“If you do not agree to move to a property that better suits your needs, then the King will have to reconsider the levels of support he is willing to provide.”
Andrew first moved to the vast 98-acre property in Windsor Park in 2004 and made it his family home, where he currently lives with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
The property is part of the Crown Estate and was previously the Queen Mother's residence in Windsor from 1952 until her death in 2002.
A friend of the duke said: “The facts remain the facts. He has a long term lease on Royal Lodge, the family have lived there for over 20 years and still have 50 more years left on the lease. He is in perfect shape because they spent most of it on the sale of his previous house. [Sunninghill Park] renovating it from top to bottom, thus saving any withdrawal from the public coffers or the private finances of the royal family. “Those are the facts.”
Another of Andrew's friends, who visited the mansion, added: “It's really quite sad, but if it's a question of who will blink first, then Andrew is going to intervene. He's not going anywhere. He has had a stay of execution due to Sarah and the King's illnesses and he will be hoping that Charles does not want to be seen as vindictive by sending him away.”
The Duchess of York revealed in January that she had been diagnosed with malignant melanoma, less than a year after undergoing surgery for breast cancer.
Meanwhile, the king is battling an undisclosed form of cancer and receiving treatment as he returns to royal duties following the announcement of his diagnosis, which was also made in January.
Those who know the monarch have said his younger brother is testing their patience and tolerance, and that life is becoming “increasingly cold and uncomfortable” for Andrew the longer he stands his ground.
A friend of Charles said: “Unfortunately, if Andrew refuses to leave within a reasonable time frame, then the king could be forced to re-evaluate the entire support package he provides and the duke would have to fund most of his security. covering accommodation and lifestyle expenses at his expense, something which, given the sums involved, is highly unlikely to be possible in the long term. Everyone is aware of his well-being and has his best interests at heart, but patience and tolerance have limits.”
Another of the King's friends added: “It can be done orderly or disorderly. It can be done with grace and dignity or it can be imposed. It's all quite sad. But as things stand, life at Royal Lodge will become increasingly cold and uncomfortable for the Duke. The only question now is when he will realize that he has become a prisoner of his own pride and that returning his keys will bring him much greater comfort and the continued support of his family.”
