A smiling Prince Andrew has been seen riding a horse around Windsor Castle amid reports that King Charles had “threatened to cut all ties” with him unless he left Royal Lodge for his new home in Frogmore Cottage.
The disgraced duke, who no longer has official royal duties after being forced to resign over the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, was seen wearing a burgundy shirt, black trousers and riding boots while exercising his horses with a friend on Monday .
The 64-year-old appeared in good spirits despite claims the King had told him to move out of the 30-bedroom, £30million mansion he shares with ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York.
The King has long been trying to get Andrew, who has no apparent source of income, to leave the mansion at Windsor amid rumors that the Prince of Wales is interested in taking up residence at the property to reflect his role as heir to the throne.
While sources close to the King said he is willing to pay for his brother to live comfortably with his private funds from the Duchy of Lancaster, the level of funding must be appropriate.
A smiling Prince Andrew was seen riding a horse around Windsor Castle on Monday.
The duke was seen wearing a burgundy shirt, black trousers and riding boots as he took a walk around the grounds.
The 64-year-old appeared in good spirits despite claims from a friend of the King that his brother was telling him to move out of the 30-bedroom, £30million mansion he shares with ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York.
Andrew was seen exercising his horse with a companion in the grounds of Windsor.
The King has been trying to get Andrew to leave the Windsor mansion (pictured) amid rumors that the Prince of Wales is interested in taking up residence at the property to reflect his role as heir to the throne.
A friend of the king told The Times: “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 is providing and the duke would be forced to fund most of it.” of money”. his own security, accommodation and lifestyle, something which, given the sums involved, is highly unlikely to be possible in the long term.
“Everyone is aware of their well-being and has their best interests at heart, but patience and tolerance have limits.”
Following the king’s continued attempts to evict Andrew from the Royal Lodge, a friend of Charles said: “As things stand, life at the Royal Lodge will become increasingly cold and uncomfortable for the duke.”
Claims emerged last year that Andrew was unable to cover the £400,000 annual upkeep of the Royal Lodge, believed to be worth £30m.
The duke was reportedly told he would have to leave the property.
It was reported in October that he was granted “a stay of execution” after he made a deal with the king to carry out repair work on the Grade II-listed 19th-century property.
But the state of the mansion’s exterior has since been exposed, with images said to show it still needs some work, which could spark a new row.
The Duke of York has lived in the 30-bedroom mansion since taking over the lease in 2003.
Andrew reportedly refused to leave the property, leaving King Charles tired and frustrated.
Frogmore Cottage (pictured), previously occupied by Prince Harry and Meghan, has been suggested as a possible alternative, but the duke does not want to move.
King Charles has been trying for a long time to get his brother Andrew to leave the mansion of Windsor.
Andrew’s downsizing to live at Frogmore Cottage would mean significant savings, and the King’s friends said he would still pay for mobile security, but would not have to provide static security for the building.
Those who know Frogmore Cottage, which used to house the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, said it is in good condition thanks to the work done by Harry and Meghan before their move to the US.
Recent photos have revealed the state of Prince Andrew’s 30-bedroom mansion, which has fallen into disrepair amid an ongoing dispute between the duke and Charles.
Andrew first moved into the grand mansion in 2004 and now lives there with his ex-wife Sarah.
He signed a 75-year lease, paying £250 a week and agreeing to maintain the huge property.
Part of the terms of this alleged agreement with his older brother was that he would carry out repair work on the Grade II-listed 19th-century house, but this does not appear to have been done yet.
Andrew refuses to leave Royal Lodge after living there for almost 20 years.
The stunning royal estate is nestled amongst trees and woodland in the heart of Windsor Great Park, just three miles south of Windsor Castle.
King Charles has been trying for a long time to get his brother to leave Royal Lodge
It was reported that Andrew could have his royal allowance of £249,000 cut, making it difficult for the duke to fulfill his promises.
He reportedly told friends that such a drastic change in his finances would mean he would not be able to cover the costs of the estate.
Despite his potential financial concerns, sources close to the duke said in January: “Andrew is not going anywhere.” He has a cast iron lease.
The Mail revealed last year that the king had offered his younger brother a more modest estate, but Andrew reportedly saw this as too great a “demotion”.
The Royal Lodge is located in the heart of Windsor Park, three miles south of Windsor Castle and is part of the Crown Estate.