Prince Andrew is facing renewed scrutiny inside Buckingham Palace as King Charles III moves to reclaim Royal Lodge and aides privately express concern that the disgraced royal is increasingly isolated and emotionally unstable, according to people familiar with the situation.
The Duke of York, 65, has been stripped of his military patronages and royal duties since 2019 and is expected to vacate the 30-room Windsor estate by early 2026, a demand driven by mounting maintenance costs and Andrew's diminished financial position. Palace sources say the looming eviction has intensified already fragile behaviour that staff describe as troubling.
Former employees and aides point to Andrew's long-documented fixation with an extensive collection of teddy bears, which he insists be arranged on his bed daily in a precise formation. The practice, detailed in royal records and later dramatized in Netflix's Scoop, reportedly required a laminated photo guide, with staff reprimanded if the bears were incorrectly placed.
According to people briefed on his current state, Andrew has increasingly "humanised" the stuffed animals, speaking to them as if they were confidantes and referring to Royal Lodge as "their home too." One palace insider described the behaviour as a sign the duke is "unravelling," citing growing withdrawal and emotional dependence.
Aides say the situation has been exacerbated by Andrew's isolation following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, whose corgis are now described by insiders as among his only regular companions. Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, is frequently absent due to travel, leaving Andrew largely alone at the Windsor property.
The pressure intensified after King Charles determined that the estate's annual maintenance costs-reported internally to exceed £3 million-were no longer sustainable for Andrew to cover. Following his legal settlement with Virginia Giuffre and the loss of income linked to royal roles, Andrew has resisted relocating, according to people close to the family.
The possibility of Frogmore Cottage, formerly occupied by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, being offered as alternative accommodation has reportedly heightened family tensions. Insiders say Andrew views the move as a symbolic demotion that reinforces his fall from royal favour.
Palace aides involved in day-to-day logistics describe handling interactions cautiously to avoid what one source characterised as a "full-on meltdown." Past staff have recalled similar incidents, including tantrums when household routines were disrupted and outbursts over seemingly minor errors. One former employee was quoted in internal accounts describing Andrew as "irritatingly stupid" during such moments.
Those familiar with Andrew's history say the teddy bear fixation predates his public disgrace but has intensified since his 2019 BBC interview and revelations surrounding his association with Jeffrey Epstein, events that effectively ended his public role. The collection, once regarded as an eccentric indulgence, is now viewed by aides as a coping mechanism amid social withdrawal.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment on Andrew's personal habits or housing arrangements. People close to King Charles say the monarch's priority remains consolidating the royal estate and limiting ongoing financial and reputational strain, even as concern grows privately over Andrew's ability to manage the transition.
