Prince Andrew is reportedly King Charles is under increasing pressure to leave Royal Lodge, his 30-room estate, as tensions between the two brothers reach new heights. Despite the monarch’s attempts to oust the Duke of York from the property – even going so far as to strip him of his security detail – Andrew has so far refused to leave.
According to sources close to the royal family, King Charles’ patience is wearing thin and he is considering issuing a brutal warning in the form of a final ultimatum if Andrew continues to resist the move. “If he does not agree to move to a property that better suits his needs, then the king may have to reconsider the levels of support he is prepared to provide,” a source told the BBC. The times.
The king has reportedly offered Andrew the option of moving to Frogmore Cottage, the former residence of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, but the duke has been reluctant to accept. A source close to the situation said: “He is taking longer than desirable to recognise the reality of the situation.”
King Charles is believed to be determined to make changes that align with his vision of a simplified monarchy, and Andrew’s resistance is creating ongoing friction. Royal commentator Gareth Russell analysed the possible outcomes of the standoff during an interview with GB News.
He suggested one option could be for Andrew to move in with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, who owns a £4m home in London’s exclusive Belgravia. However, Russell highlighted the logistical challenges of such a move, especially given Andrew’s status as a controversial public figure.
“Moving someone like Prince Andrew, the monarch’s brother and also a very controversial public figure, into a private residence in the centre of one of the busiest cities in the world is not something that can be feasibly done unless there is a security presence there,” Russell said.
The current impasse is just the latest chapter in Andrew’s fall from grace, following controversies surrounding his links to Jeffrey Epstein and his subsequent withdrawal from royal duties. As the situation develops, the Duke’s reluctance to leave the Royal Lodge may put further strain on his relationship with King Charles, who is keen to make changes within the royal family. Time is ticking and it remains to be seen whether Prince Andrew will continue to defy the King or accept the inevitable relocation.