The standoff between King Charles and Prince Andrew over the latter finally being forced to leave his beloved Royal Lodge home is becoming increasingly bitter, with insiders dubbing it “the siege of Royal Lodge.”
As The Daily Beast previously reported, multiple sources told the Times of London that Charles has threatened to cut funding to his disgraced brother if Andrew doesn’t vacate his home soon. A friend of Charles told the paper, “It can be done tidily or untidily. It can be done with grace and dignity or it can be forced upon him. It’s all rather sad. But as things stand, life at Royal Lodge is set to become increasingly cold and uncomfortable for the duke. The only question now is when he will realize that he has become a prisoner of his own pride—and that handing back the keys will afford him far greater comfort, and the continued support of his family.”
Charles has continued to pressure Andrew into moving into Frogmore Cottage—formerly home to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry—which would cost the family less. Andrew “is taking longer than desirable to recognize the reality of the situation, even though it is clearly the most sensible course of action,” a source close to the king complained. “If he doesn’t agree to move to a property better suited to his needs, then the King may have to reconsider the levels of support he is willing to provide.”
One source told the paper, “The king’s kindness is not without limit, and there is a very good option for Andrew to move into Frogmore Cottage…which also has the benefit of being within the Windsor Castle security cordon hence reducing the need for alternative round-the-clock security for Royal Lodge.”
“Andrew cuts an increasingly tragic figure. With no discernible role, he spends his days watching television in a darkened room,” the paper said, although he has been seen horse-riding with brother Prince Edward as Edward prepares to take part in Trooping the Color on June 15.
A friend of the duke told the paper, “The facts remain the facts. He’s got a long lease on Royal Lodge, the family has lived there for 20-odd years and still have 50-odd years to run on the lease. It’s in perfectly good repair because they spent the lion’s share of the sale of their previous house [Sunninghill Park] renovating it from top to bottom, thereby saving any draw on the public purse or the private finances of the royal family. Them’s the facts.”
Another acquaintance told the Times, “It’s really rather sad, but if it’s a case of who will blink first then Andrew is going to dig in. He ain’t going anywhere. He has had a stay of execution with Sarah (Duchess of York, his ex-wife, who he lives with) and the king’s illnesses and he will be hoping that Charles won’t want to be seen as vindictive by turfing him out.”
Charles also funds Andrew’s security, housekeepers, gardeners and home improvements, estimated in the low millions—that may change too.
One friend of Charles told the Times, “Unfortunately, if Andrew refuses to leave within a reasonable time frame, then the King may be forced to reassess the whole package of support he provides, and the duke would be required to fund the lion’s share of his security, accommodation and lifestyle costs all on his own—which, given the sums involved, is highly unlikely to be possible in the long term. Everyone is mindful of his well-being, and has his best interests at heart, but there are limits of patience and tolerance.”
