King Charles has sacked Prince Andrew’s ten-man private security team in his latest attempt to force the disgraced duke out of Royal Lodge, a source has said.
Charles has long been trying to oust his brother from the 30-bedroom, £30m estate in Windsor, where Andrew lives with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
The monarch has been funding private guards at the mansion since Andrew’s armed police officers (who cost £3m a year) were scrapped in 2022 amid the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
But now Charles has reportedly told the duke’s private security team that they are no longer needed from the autumn.
A Palace source said: The sun on Sunday‘Everyone is speculating that this means the Duke will have to leave the Royal Lodge because what other reason could there be for removing his security?’
They added: “It is no secret that the King wants him gone.”
King Charles has long been trying to remove Prince Andrew from the Royal Lodge (pictured)
King Charles has reportedly told the Duke’s private security team that they are no longer needed from the autumn.
Prince Andrew (pictured) lives at the mansion with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson. Pictured: Andrew, Duke of York, rides at Windsor Castle
It was previously revealed that Andrew had turned down the chance to move into nearby Frogmore Cottage (pictured).
Earlier this year, it was revealed that Andrew had turned down the chance to move into nearby Frogmore Cottage, which used to be Harry and Meghan’s UK home.
Andrew signed a 75-year lease with the Crown Estate when he moved into Royal Lodge in 2003, making an initial payment of £1 million.
But the King is reportedly keen to generate commercial income from the mansion as soon as he can kick the Duke out.
It was previously reported that the property was intended for heir to the throne Prince William and his wife Princess Catherine, but the couple said they are very happy at Adelaide Cottage.
Andrew, who remains a pariah from public life amid the fallout from his relationship with paedophile Epstein, has reportedly already spent nearly £7m on extensive renovations and repairs to the property.
She has refused all of her brother’s requests to move into the smaller house, Frogmore Cottage.
MailOnline has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.