Prince Andrew was seen taking a leisurely horseback ride this morning, just over a week before he is reportedly losing access to his ten-strong security team, privately paid for by King Charles.
The Duke of York, 64, drove around the grounds of Windsor Castle today in his Range Rover surrounded by members of his private security team.
Astride his horse, the prince wore a black riding helmet, a burgundy sweater and a khaki waterproof jacket to protect him from the gray weather as he trotted around the royal residence.
His discreet departure comes as sources say the King no longer wishes to foot his brother’s security bill.
Andrew lost his publicly funded protection officers in 2019 when he was ordered to resign as a working member of the royal family amid the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
Prince Andrew was seen wearing a burgundy jumper and a black helmet as he embarked on a horse ride through the grounds of Windsor Castle this morning.
The Prince drives his Range Rover and is accompanied by members of his security team, privately funded by King Charles.
The duke was quietly removed from royal life and stripped of his military titles after Emily Maitlis trashed him on BBC Newsnight over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Members of the royal family are usually protected by Metropolitan Police officers, but amid the Epstein scandal, the late Queen privately paid for a security team to monitor her second son.
The arrangement continued after Her Majesty’s death in 2022, but according to recent reports, King Charles no longer wants to foot his brother’s security bill.
According The sun on SundayMembers of Prince Andrew’s ten-strong security team have been told their services will not be needed from November.
King Charles is believed to be removing Andrew’s protection in a tactical move to force him out of Royal Lodge.
The Duke currently resides at the £30 million property in the grounds of Windsor Castle with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, affectionately known as Fergie.
A source told the publication: “Everyone is speculating that this means the Duke will have to leave the Royal Lodge because what other reason could there be to remove his security?
‘Everyone is working the last weeks of their contract until the end of October. It is not believed that anyone is being sought to replace them.
Sources say the Duke of York, 64, will lose his security detail in November.
King Charles is said to be losing patience with his brother Prince Andrew over his continued refusal to leave Royal Lodge. In the photo: The couple in 2022.
Andrew, 64, has insisted on staying at Royal Lodge (pictured) despite leaving his official duties almost five years ago.
Andrew signed a 75-year lease with the Crown Estate when he moved into the Royal Lodge in 2003, making an initial payment of £1 million.
The deal included a nominal rent of £260,000 a year.
The run-down property is in urgent need of repair and restoration, so experts believe the lodge should be returned to Crown Estates.
A source said the sun: “It could then be rented out to make money for themselves, the King’s coffers and the country, rather than being a drain on everyone’s resources.”
Sources say the King could even cut the £4m a year he pays his younger brother to kick him out of the 30-bedroom lodge in Windsor Great Park.
Instead of Royal Lodge, King Charles reportedly wants Andrew and Fergie to live in the more modest five-bed Frogmore Cottage, which once belonged to Harry and Meghan before they left the UK.
Buckingham Palace refused to confirm the reports.
