King Charles fired Prince Andrew’s security team at Royal Lodge. The Duke of York refuses to move out of the lavish residence and downgrade to Frogmore Cottage, the former home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
King Charles Removed Andrew’s Ten-Man Private Security Team From Royal Lodge
The King notified Andrew’s ten-man private security team that he would not extend their contracts. Charles had been funding private guards since 2022. Andrew’s security team will not leave their roles immediately but will work until their contract terminates at the end of October.
This move is the latest of many attempts made by Charles to get him to move out. The King’s disgraced brother lives at Royal Lodge with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson.
Andrew has lived there since 2003 under a 75-year lease agreement given to him under Crown Estate. In 2008, the Duchess of York moved in with him. Charles reportedly wants to generate commercial revenue from the property once he gets Andrew out of there.
It was previously reported that Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, would inherit the mansion.
However, the Wales family is very happy at Adelaide Cottage. Andrew’s reluctance to leave Royal Lodge has been an issue ever since his association with known sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was revealed.
Queen Elizabeth stripped Andrew of his royal and military titles in January 2022 amid Virginia Giuffre’s lawsuit against the Duke.
King Charles has also set an October deadline for Andrew to leave Royal Lodge. His Majesty and Andrew also made an agreement that if Andrew wanted to stay at the plush Windsor mansion, he was expected to keep up with the required repairs on the home.
The agreement states that it is Andrew’s responsibility to “repair, renew, uphold, clean, and keep in repair,” and where necessary, “rebuild the mansion.”
Royal Lodge Is More Than Andrew Can Afford
Royal insiders have also reported that Charles may even cut off Andrew’s annual funding that he provides for his brother.
Andrew’s downsizing to Frogmore Cottage would save a lot of money, as the King would pay for mobile security but would not need to provide any other kind of security for the building.
Andrew appears to be holding onto the last link he has left of his former glory as a respected working royal. Insiders have said him digging his heels in represents his refusal to fully let go of his former royal life. He sees moving to a place like Frogmore Cottage as an insult.
Without the money Andrew would be making as a working royal, he has no source of steady income to even afford Royal Lodge, especially if Charles stops paying him his millions.
Sources familiar with the Duke said in January, “Andrew is going nowhere. He has a cast iron lease.” The King is threatening to sever ties with Andrew completely.
Sources close to King Charles exclaim, “Prince Andrew does not need such a large home. Prince Andrew’s home requires additional security expenses. The maintenance on Royal Lodge is simply more than Prince Andrew can afford.”
Unfortunately, Andrew has placed a heavy burden on Charles, especially after the health struggles he’s had this year.
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