Related Articles
Prince Andrew will not move out of his £30 million home, Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate, putting him on collision course with King Charles.
The Duke of York is digging his heels in and refusing to vacate the 30-room mansion, his home for more than 20 years.
Charles has let it be known that Andrew should leave the house, where he lives with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, and downsize to Prince Harry’s former home, Frogmore Cottage.
It is widely understood that Royal Lodge, once occupied by the Queen Mother, has been earmarked for Prince William and his family.
As first revealed in The Mail on Sunday, the King is cutting the annual £250,000 subsidy that the late Queen gave to Andrew – meaning he can no longer afford the upkeep for the mansion.
It is widely understood that Royal Lodge, once occupied by the Queen Mother, has been earmarked for Prince William and his family
Friends of the Yorks say Andrew, who was forced to step back as a front-line Royal because of his association with paedophile millionaire Jeffrey Epstein, is ‘refusing to budge’ from Royal Lodge
Andrew is seeking face-to-face showdown talks with his brother.
Friends of the Yorks say Andrew, who was forced to step back as a front-line Royal because of his association with paedophile millionaire Jeffrey Epstein, is ‘refusing to budge’ from Royal Lodge. They say he’s in low spirits and has become reclusive. One friend said: ‘He is so fragile. He’s refusing to see anybody. This has been his family home for the past 20 years. Is it really sensible to kick him out?
‘He’s concerned that now the Coronation is over, the knives are out. He’s worried that the Royals might even turn off the utilities to get him out of there. But we’re dealing with human beings, not real estate.’
With Andrew and Sarah living together, their daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, are regular visitors.
Another friend said: ‘Eugenie is heavily pregnant and her parents expect to have the new grandchild there this summer.
‘Don’t forget that Sarah has been the glue holding the family together through this nightmare.’
It is understood that the Palace had initially said the Yorks must leave the property – which they lease – by September, but that the authorities now accept such a tight timetable is unrealistic.
As first revealed in The Mail on Sunday, the King is cutting the annual £250,000 subsidy that the late Queen gave to Andrew – meaning he can no longer afford the upkeep for the mansion
Frogmore Cottage, renovated to a high standard, became free after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan, left to live in California
Frogmore Cottage, renovated to a high standard, became free after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan, left to live in California.
Negotiations over Royal Lodge –which began under the reign of the late Queen – are continuing. Andrew is understood to be frustrated that talks are between officials instead of between brothers – and wants that to change.
Friends suggest that he might consider a compromise deal if Charles ‘does the decent thing’ and talks to his brother face to face.
One said: ‘If Charles wants Andrew to play ball and help the family through these difficult times, aren’t there better ways of going about it?
‘Why not do the decent thing, sit down and talk?
‘If they need the house for William, perhaps Andrew should be told. Perhaps William should invite his uncle for tea and explain.
‘Or why doesn’t Charles invite his brother for a meeting and ask him if he’d leave Royal Lodge to help his nephew and the future of the monarchy? And agree a schedule acceptable to both sides.
‘Is a little decency so difficult? There are real people at the heart of all this.
‘He’s just lost his mother. Who, straight after that, would want to be evicted by his brother?’
Source link
