Despite ongoing attempts from King Charles to persuade him otherwise, Prince Andrew remains entrenched in Royal Lodge, his longstanding residence in Windsor.
The 64-year-old Duke of York shares this opulent home with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, and has held a 75-year lease on the property since 2003.
His plan is to eventually pass on this regal dwelling to his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
King Charles, who has been financially supporting Andrew since his involvement in controversial sex allegations linked to the late Jeffrey Epstein—a connection the Duke strongly denies—has taken steps to encourage him to downsize.
This has included reducing the number of security personnel assigned to Andrew, which has sparked tensions.
Despite these pressures, Andrew remains adamant about staying in his home.
According to royal expert Hugo Vickers, Andrew’s refusal to leave stems from his belief that vacating the property would symbolize an acknowledgment of guilt for actions he has not been proven to commit.
Vickers elaborated that Andrew’s life at Royal Lodge revolves around his family, leisure activities like golfing, and enjoying nature walks.
He described the situation as costly, noting that it would be ideal for Andrew to voluntarily seek a smaller residence.
The Duke’s belief seems tethered to the perception that moving out would equate to an acceptance of wrongdoing.
“He hasn’t been found guilty of anything,” Vickers added, pointing out the absurdity of equating his move with guilt.
Andrew lost his 24/7 security detail earlier this year after being stripped of royal duties by the late Queen in a significant reshuffle.
Though he still attends public events alongside his daughters, his position within the royal framework has dramatically changed.
Illustrating the ongoing struggle, reports emerged suggesting Andrew was offered Frogmore Cottage—a property on the same estate previously occupied by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle—as an alternative.
Astonishingly, he declined.
Royal insiders indicate that Andrew’s attachment to Royal Lodge is less about financial necessity and more about a reluctance to relinquish his royal status.
He feels settling elsewhere would mean losing yet another piece of his identity.
According to royal commentator Rupert Bell, Andrew’s obstinacy plays a crucial role in this saga.
He insists that stubbornness and a sense of entitlement have long created friction between him and his brother, the King.
“Andrew is convinced he is right and this belief often lands him in trouble,” Bell remarked.
“Given what he has already lost, he perceives that losing his home would strip away even more of his dignity.”
While King Charles has reportedly ceased funding his brother, Andrew’s claim to have “other sources of income” provides him with confidence in maintaining his lifestyle.
Many speculate this could relate to his ties in international trade.
Andrew’s motivation to hold onto Royal Lodge is also influenced by its history—once deemed the favorite child’s property by the late Queen.
This attachment, coupled with recent upheavals in royal life, has compounded his reluctance to move.
King Charles’s strategic cuts in Andrew’s funding—a move designed to compel his brother’s hand in this residential tug-of-war—seems to have had minimal effect.
Observers suggest that Andrew’s fortified stance makes it challenging for the King to back down or intervene effectively.
As this familial saga continues to unfold, the dynamics between Prince Andrew and King Charles provide a revealing glimpse into the complexities of royal obligations, personal identities, and the battle over legacy within the storied walls of the monarchy.
Andrew’s refusal to budge reinforces the sense of conflict and differing perceptions of royal life in the modern era.
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