In a surprising turn of events, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, is clinging to his residence at the Royal Lodge despite increasing pressure to vacate.
Reports have emerged that King Charles III has made the bold decision to terminate the security team assigned to the Duke, fueling speculation that Andrew may soon be forced to leave his long-time home.
According to The Sun, King Charles has informed the ten members of the security detail that their contracts will not be renewed after October.
This leaves them with only a few weeks of service before they officially depart.
A palace insider has suggested that the lack of replacements for the security team raises eyebrows and leads to questions about Andrew’s future at the Royal Lodge.
“What else could it mean?” the source pondered, hinting at the possibility that the Duke may soon find himself without a roof over his head.
For context, Prince Andrew has resided in the opulent 31-room Royal Lodge on the grounds of Windsor Castle since 2004, when he signed a remarkable 75-year lease.
However, his time there has been marred by controversy, particularly regarding his connections to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Since the Epstein scandal broke in 2019, calls for Andrew to vacate the property have intensified.
Adding to the financial strain, reports from Us Weekly indicate that Andrew has been neglecting to cover the annual upkeep costs of the Royal Lodge, which amount to a staggering $503,000.
This has reportedly placed an immense burden on the Duke, who relies heavily on financial support from King Charles, receiving around $5.1 million annually to stay afloat.
The situation has become even more complicated since Andrew lost his Metropolitan Police protection, valued at $3.8 million, after being stripped of his royal duties by Queen Elizabeth II.
Following this loss, King Charles has been footing the bill for private security at the Royal Lodge, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to his brother despite the controversies.
The recent security developments come on the heels of Andrew’s reported reluctance to move into Frogmore Cottage, the smaller residence previously occupied by his nephew, Prince Harry.
Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, were compelled to vacate the property in June 2023, further complicating the family dynamics.
In a twist of fate, Andrew was spotted heading to Balmoral Castle last Friday to join his brother and the rest of the royal family, despite the underlying tensions surrounding his living situation.
Accompanying him were his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, their daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, as well as their grandchildren.
Notably absent from this family gathering were Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, highlighting the rift within the family.
