Prince Andrew is allegedly facing eviction from his Royal Lodge mansion due to financial difficulties. Despite the late Queen Elizabeth II's protective stance towards her son, King Charles III is reportedly contemplating giving Andrew an eviction notice.
Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner claims that King Charles III is grappling with the decision of whether to evict his brother, Prince Andrew, from his lavish Royal Lodge mansion due to unpaid upkeep and financial struggles. According to a report by Us Weekly, Andrew has neglected to pay the annual $503,000 maintenance for the property, which is owned by the monarch's estate.
Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on the allegations, but Pelham Turner suggests that the king is hesitant to serve an eviction notice to his sibling. Andrew, known to be a close confidant of the late Queen Elizabeth II, remains a senior royal and has been reportedly determined to maintain that status.
However, King Charles is said to be encountering pressure to minimize the expenditure on the monarchy, given the financial challenges faced by the UK. Concerns have been raised about the upkeep costs of Royal Lodge, which reportedly suffers from dampness, wear and tear, and structural issues.
The king is reportedly considering asking Andrew to vacate the 90-acre estate and move into the smaller Frogmore Cottage, formerly occupied by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. However, Andrew is believed to be reluctant to accept this downgrade in living arrangements.
Author Christopher Andersen alleges that Queen Elizabeth II had shielded Andrew from eviction despite his involvement with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andersen claims that King Charles initially agreed to honor his mother's wishes to protect Andrew but is now facing pressure to make a decision that aligns with the public's perception.
Royal biographer Katie Nicholl has previously stated that Andrew and Queen Elizabeth II remained close until her death. Nicholl claims that the queen questioned Andrew about the Epstein allegations and believed his assertions of innocence.
Andrew stepped back from royal duties in 2019 amid the Epstein controversy and has since been stripped of his honorary military titles and royal patronages. He has also faced legal challenges, including a sex abuse lawsuit filed against him by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, which was eventually settled out of court.
Despite his legal and reputational challenges, Andrew has retained his title as the Duke of York and remains in the line of succession to the British throne. However, his ability to maintain his lavish lifestyle and senior royal status is now in jeopardy as King Charles weighs the financial cost of supporting his disgraced sibling.
