Prince Andrew remains steadfast in his determination to stay at Royal Lodge, despite increasing pressure from his brother, King Charles, to vacate the property. Friends of the Duke of York have accused the King of being "cruel" in his efforts to force Andrew out and have urged him to reconsider his stance. The ongoing dispute has drawn parallels to the departure of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from royal duties, with critics arguing that similar behind-the-scenes briefings against Andrew are counterproductive.
Andrew's allies argue that the push to remove him from Royal Lodge, previously home to their grandmother, the Queen Mother, has only reignited public interest in his living arrangements. They assert that Andrew, who has resided at the Windsor estate for over two decades, intends to remain there and eventually leave the property to his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
One friend of Andrew's expressed frustration, telling The Daily Beast, "Andrew has no intention of moving out, and it's extraordinary that his brother has chosen to reopen this battle via anonymous briefings to the press. It's like they [the Palace] have learned nothing from the whole Harry and Meghan debacle."
Another friend emphasized the significance of Royal Lodge to Andrew, saying, "The house is one of the few things keeping him going, and the idea that he is going to throw that away along with his children's inheritance is just absurd." They added that the property is well-maintained and that Andrew's financial situation is not as dire as some reports suggest, noting his business interests and the support of friends.
The Times recently detailed the King's renewed efforts to pressure Andrew into moving, reportedly threatening to cut off financial support if he does not comply. Palace insiders have dubbed the conflict the "Siege of Royal Lodge." Despite these threats, Andrew's lease on the property, which extends until 2078, remains a significant obstacle for the King.
A source close to Sarah Ferguson, Andrew's ex-wife who still lives with him at Royal Lodge, disputed claims that she would urge Andrew to "see sense" and comply with the King's demands. "Sarah has never sought to rock the boat. She is fiercely loyal to Andrew," the friend said. Sarah, who has recently been battling skin and breast cancer, has publicly expressed gratitude for being welcomed back into the royal family and remains committed to the family home.
The King's push for Andrew to relocate to Frogmore Cottage, recently vacated by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, is seen as a practical solution given its location within the Windsor Castle security cordon. However, Andrew's friends argue that the move is unnecessary and would only add to the family's public disputes.
The lease on Royal Lodge, which requires Andrew to maintain the property and pay an annual rent of £260,000 ($330,000), is viewed as his "key weapon" in the standoff. "He ain't going anywhere," a friend of Andrew's told The Times. Author and historian Andrew Lownie, who is writing a biography of Andrew, suggested that the brothers' long-standing personal issues are at the heart of the conflict.
Lownie noted that Charles could potentially force Andrew out by ceasing to pay for his security, but this move could backfire given Andrew's heightened security needs. "No-one is coming out of this very well, but if Charles is really serious about getting rid of him, he should stop paying for his security," Lownie said.
Lady Hervey, a royal commentator, echoed these sentiments in a discussion with Nana Akua on GB News, questioning the necessity of the King's actions. "What does Charles need another house for? He wants his house for Camilla. Now, how does Camilla need another house?" Hervey asked, criticizing the decision as "disgusting."
The conflict over Royal Lodge has highlighted deeper issues within the royal family, including long-standing tensions between Andrew and Charles. While the public and media continue to scrutinize the royal family's dynamics, Andrew remains determined to hold onto his home, setting the stage for a prolonged and potentially damaging dispute.
