In an ongoing and increasingly publicized royal rift, King Charles is reportedly reconsidering the financial allowance provided to his brother, Prince Andrew, amid a contentious standoff over the Duke of York's refusal to vacate the Royal Lodge, a 30-bedroom mansion in Windsor. The dispute, which has divided the royal family, highlights the growing tension between the monarch and his younger sibling as they navigate a complex mix of personal and financial grievances.
According to sources close to the royal family, King Charles is losing patience with Andrew, who has resisted numerous requests to leave the Royal Lodge, a property he has occupied since 2003 under a 75-year lease agreement with the Crown Estate, as reported by OK magazine. The lease, while giving Andrew the right to reside in the mansion, also requires him to maintain and repair the property-a task that has reportedly become increasingly challenging without a steady income.
The Duke of York, who was stripped of his HRH status and royal salary following his involvement in a scandal tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has been living at the Royal Lodge with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson. Despite no longer being a working royal, Andrew has continued to receive financial support from his brother, including funding for a private security team. However, this support now appears to be in jeopardy.
As reported by The Times, King Charles is considering significant cuts to Andrew's allowance, a move seen by many as a strategy to encourage the Duke to accept the reality of his situation and vacate the property. The King's frustrations have reportedly reached a boiling point, with insiders describing the issue as "the Andrew problem," which needs a swift and decisive resolution.
"There is a growing sense of impatience with Andrew's reluctance to face the facts," a source close to the royal family told The Times. "The King has been more than generous, but there comes a time when tough decisions must be made. The situation at Royal Lodge is becoming untenable, and the longer Andrew clings to the property, the more difficult his position becomes."
This tension has not only strained the relationship between Charles and Andrew but has also divided other members of the royal family. It is reported that Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, are disappointed with how Charles has handled the situation. Meanwhile, Andrew's daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, are said to be deeply concerned about their father's precarious situation and have expressed their discontent with the lack of protection afforded to him.
The situation has also reportedly caused friction between Andrew and Queen Camilla, who has borne the brunt of Andrew's irritability. Camilla, who has spent years working to establish her position within the royal family, is said to be frustrated by Andrew's refusal to acknowledge the financial realities that come with his diminished status.
Adding to the pressure, Andrew's financial situation is further complicated by the high costs associated with maintaining the Royal Lodge. The mansion, which dates back to 1662, requires extensive upkeep, including a stipulation in the lease that the property be repainted every five years-a task Andrew has reportedly neglected. As the property continues to fall into disrepair, questions are being raised about whether Andrew can afford to meet his obligations under the lease without additional income.
Royal commentators have speculated that Andrew's refusal to leave the Royal Lodge may be tied to his desire to keep the property within his family, with reports suggesting that his daughters may eventually inherit the lease. However, with Charles reportedly determined to resolve the situation, Andrew's future at the Lodge-and within the royal family-remains uncertain.
As the rift deepens, Buckingham Palace has remained tight-lipped, declining to comment on the matter.
