Prince Andrew is reportedly poised to defy King Charles as tensions rise over his living arrangements and security funding.
The Duke of York has refused to vacate the Royal Lodge, despite the King suggesting he downsize to Frogmore Cottage, the former residence of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
This standoff follows claims that Andrew has sufficient personal funds to cover his security expenses after losing his £1 million annual allowance, which he heavily relied on for his living costs.
A source close to the situation revealed to The Sun, “Prince Andrew is holding firm and is determined to stay in the Royal Lodge,” signaling a potential clash between the two royals.
Andrew remains adamant that he can fund his own security, even as the costs reportedly soar into the seven figures.
An insider close to the Duke insists he is no longer a financial burden on King Charles and sees no reason to vacate his residence at the Royal Lodge.
The King had previously supported Andrew with a £1 million annual allowance since 2019, following the fallout from his controversial interview regarding his friendship with the late Jeffrey Epstein.
However, it appears that King Charles has now instructed his Keeper of the Privy Purse to cut Andrew’s allowance and has also ceased funding his expensive private security detail.
Royal commentator Robert Hardman noted that had Queen Elizabeth II lived longer, she would likely have evicted the Duke from his royal residence.
In an updated edition of his biography, Charles III: New King. New Court.
The inside story, Hardman reveals that Charles laid off Andrew’s 10-member security team earlier this year, intensifying the tension between the brothers.