Royal | News - Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
King Charles is reportedly “reconsidering” Prince Andrew’s allowance as the royal rift between the two brothers over the Duke’s living situation at Royal Lodge continues.
The Duke of York has been refusing to leave the 30-bedroom property in Windsor, thought to be worth £30million.
The royal has been struggling with the upkeep of the mansion, where he lives with his former wife, Sarah Ferguson, as he is required to “repair, renew, uphold, clean and keep in repair and, where necessary, rebuild” the mansion, according to the 75-year lease agreement granted to him in 2003 by the Crown Estate.
But now, according to the Times, the King is said to be “losing patience” with his brother and wants to find a swift resolution to what is called “the Andrew problem” by those close to him.
Andrew is guarded by a private ten-man security team which reportedly costs an estimated £3million-a-year and is funded from the King’s private wealth. His police security was removed after he stepped down as a senior working royal in 2019, following his ties with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Just last month, it was reported that Charles had sacked Andrew’s private security team saying their services won’t be needed after this coming October.
Sources said that there is no replacement lined up for Andrew’s security, while it is understood that steps have already been taken to withdraw funding from the duke.
The decision, according to the Times, is thought to be a way of securing Andrew’s long-term security as he gets older.
A friend of the King told the outlet that the duke was “taking longer than desirable to recognise the reality of the situation, even though it is clearly the most sensible course of action.
“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 realise that he has become a prisoner of his own pride.”
Buckingham Palace declined to comment.