King Charles wants Prince Andrew to “downsize” to Frogmore Cottage amid royal crunch talks, according to royal sources.
The King, 75, has made clear he is not willing to continue to fund the Duke of York's lifestyle at Royal Lodge, his vast home in Windsor Great Park that was home to the Queen Mother until her death in 2002.
However, according to reports, Andrew is refusing to leave the property, much to the frustration of the monarch.
The Duke of York, 64, has the lease on Royal Lodge but Charles controls the purse strings.
A royal source claimed: “The King’s kindness is not without limit and there is a very good option for Andrew to move into Frogmore Cottage, recently vacated by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, which also has the benefit of being within the Windsor Castle security cordon hence reducing the need for alternative round-the-clock security for Royal Lodge.
“He is taking longer than desirable to recognise the reality of the situation, even though it is clearly the most sensible course of action.
“If he doesn’t agree to move to a property better suited to his needs, then the King may have to reconsider the levels of support he is willing to provide.”
Rather than a grace and favour residence, Royal Lodge is let under a commercial lease agreement with the Crown Estate.
A friend of the duke continued to tell The Times: “The facts remain the facts. He’s got a long lease on Royal Lodge, the family has lived there for 20-odd years and still has 50-odd years to run on the lease.
“It’s in perfectly good repair because they spent the lion’s share of the sale of their previous house [Sunninghill Park] renovating it from top to bottom, thereby saving any draw on the public purse or the private finances of the Royal Family. Them’s the facts.”
Another acquaintance who has visited Royal Lodge added: “It’s really rather sad but if it’s a case of who will blink first then Andrew is going to dig in. He ain’t going anywhere. He has had a stay of execution with Sarah and the King’s illnesses and he will be hoping that Charles won’t want to be seen as vindictive by turfing him out.”
King Charles funds Andrew’s £3million a year security bill, as the Home Office removed his police detail once he stepped down from official duties in 2019.
Meanwhile, the King also grants the duke an additional living allowance, thought to be more than £1million a year.
If Charles were to withdraw these payments, Andrew would have to fund his own security, housekeepers, gardeners and home improvements.
One friend of the King told the publication: “Unfortunately, if Andrew refuses to leave within a reasonable time frame, then the King may be forced to reassess the whole package of support he provides and the duke would be required to fund the lion’s share of his security, accommodation and lifestyle costs all on his own — which, given the sums involved, is highly unlikely to be possible in the long term. Everyone is mindful of his well-being and has his best interests at heart, but there are limits of patience and tolerance.”
Friends of Charles claim the King would continue to pay for Andrew's mobile security if he “downsized” to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's former home, Frogmore Cottage.
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The move would mean King Charles would not have to provide static security for the building.
This is because Frogmore is in good condition due to the renovations carried out by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex before their relocation to the US.
A friend of Charles explained: “It can be done tidily or untidily. It can be done with grace and dignity or it can be forced upon him. It’s all rather sad.
“But as things stand, life at Royal Lodge is set to become increasingly cold and uncomfortable for the duke. The only question now is when he will realise that he has become a prisoner of his own pride — and that handing back the keys will afford him far greater comfort, and the continued support of his family.”
GB News has contacted Buckingham Palace and the Duke of York's office for comment.
