Recent revelations from a royal author suggest that the late Queen Elizabeth II had plans to evict Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from Frogmore Cottage.
In a surprising twist, these plans also included relocating Prince Andrew into the property, shedding light on a complex royal drama.
In a new book by royal biographer Robert Hardman, it’s claimed that the Queen intended to move Andrew from his lavish Royal Lodge – a grand estate with 30 rooms located in the heart of Windsor Great Park.
The reported strategy involved terminating the lease held by the Sussexes and offering their residence to the Duke of York, who is labeled as a “bully” within Hardman’s narrative.
An insider shared insights with Hardman, stating, “Had she lived another year, he would have been out.”
This former adviser detailed the late monarch’s strategy to make this transition happen, emphasizing it largely stemmed from financial considerations as she recognized that maintaining the Sussexes’ lease was becoming impractical.
Hardman’s account, published in the Daily Mail, indicates that staff members loyal to the Queen were eager to assist in implementing her wishes.
In fact, when Prince Andrew’s office was reassigned at Buckingham Palace, the staff did so without remorse, feeling justified due to what they had perceived as bullying behavior from Andrew and his team.
The plot thickens with recent reports suggesting a rift between King Charles III and Prince Andrew.
The King has taken steps to sever financial ties to his brother, causing tensions to escalate considerably.
After much deliberation, the King has reportedly decided to cut Andrew’s annual £1 million allowance, reinforcing a broader move to distance himself from his brother’s disgraced reputation.
The King holds the ultimate authority on royal finances and was earlier noted to be concerned about the substantial yearly maintenance costs associated with Andrew’s opulent residence.
According to Hardman, the financial overseer of the royal purse was directed to halt Andrew’s living allowance, leading to further speculation about the Duke’s financial situation.
The Duke is believed to have committed to a long-term 75-year lease on the Royal Lodge.
However, a source familiar with the matter indicates that Andrew’s financial burden on the monarchy has lessened recently, as he claims to have identified alternate sources of income, potentially from his connections in international trade.
Despite these claims, questions arise about the sustainability of Andrew’s newfound financial stability.
There remains skepticism in royal circles regarding the long-term reliability of his income sources.
After all, his financial troubles have been well-documented, especially in light of the scandals surrounding him.
Adding another layer to this unfolding story is the backdrop of Prince Harry and Meghan’s departure from royal duties, which occurred shortly after they had received Frogmore Cottage as a wedding gift in 2018.
Following their decision to step back from royal responsibilities, lingering controversies around their residence seem to have captured the interest of royal watchers and the media alike.
The new allegations of plans to evict the Sussexes pose a significant contrast to the Queen’s earlier kindness in gifting them their home.
Such shifts in royal dynamics could hint at a more pragmatic approach to family affairs under the current King’s reign.
Meanwhile, the pressures on Andrew continue to mount.
Reports claim that he has refused to vacate his luxurious home at Royal Lodge, a point of contention that has led many to speculate about his motivations.
Notably, moving to a smaller property such as Frogmore might be seen as an admission of wrongdoing, something Andrew appears reluctant to concede.
As this saga unfolds, the King’s strategy seems to involve tidying up the royal family‘s image and finances, particularly in an era fraught with scrutiny.
Should any of Andrew’s contacts in the international trade sphere fail to yield the expected financial relief, the ramifications for him could be severe.
With Andrew’s future residence uncertain and pressures escalating, the drama surrounding Frogmore Cottage symbolizes more than just real estate – it exemplifies the shifting tides within the monarchy’s internal relationships, public perception, and financial responsibilities.
The world watches with bated breath to see how these chess pieces will move in the royal family’s intricate game.
Read more
