Prince Andrew is defying his brother King Charles’ orders and refusing to leave Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate, the 30-room mansion where he’s lived for almost the past 20 years.
But the disgraced royal fears the monarch may go to extreme lengths to get him out.
The Prince has allegedly overstayed his welcome.
(Image: Getty)“He’s concerned that now the coronation is over, the knives are out. He’s worried that the royals might even turn off the utilities to get him out of there,” says royal commentator Phil Dampier.
According to reports, the $56 million home – which Andrew, 63, shares with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson – has been earmarked for Prince William and Princess Kate, and the Duke of York has been told he must vacate by September.
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In addition, Charles, 74, is reportedly cutting the $470,000 subsidy that the late Queen gave to Andrew, so he can no longer afford to maintain the mansion.
“The King wants Andrew – and presumably his ex-wife Fergie – to move to Harry’s old home, Frogmore Cottage, but he is resisting, and still has a 55-year lease on the Royal Lodge,” Phil tells Woman’s Day.
“Reports they will cut off his electricity have been denied, but they are obviously putting him under pressure.”
Prince Andrew was last seen amongst the royal family at his brother King Charles’ coronation.
(Image: Getty)WILLIAM’S BIG PLAN
Phil says Prince William, 40, is a driving force behind the plot to remove Andrew.
“I think William has played a major part in sidelining his uncle and insisted there was no way back for him in public life after he had paid off Virginia Giuffre, the woman who alleged Andrew sexually assaulted her,” Phil tells Woman’s Day.
“William has never been close to Andrew and now he probably sees him as a problem, just like his brother Harry. William might think the two “spares” have caused enough trouble for the House of Windsor and need to be separated from the institution.”
The heir to the throne reportedly wants his uncle out.
(Image: Getty)In keeping with the family’s keenness to publicly distance themselves from Andrew, it has been revealed the duke posed for secret coronation portraits in formal robes but says Buckingham Palace will likely never release them.
“I’m sure Charles still loves his brother and cares for him, but he has to distance himself, and can’t slowly let him back into public life, although I know that’s what Andrew wants,” says Phil.
Andrew has indeed paid a heavy price for his ill-judged friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
“He is no longer a working royal, has been stripped of his military connections and patronages, and is a virtual recluse,” says Phil.
Prince Andrew seen sharing a laugh with Melania Trump (L) and convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein (Far R).
(Image: Getty)As for Royal Lodge, at the end of the day, Phil insists the royals now have far too many properties.
“With the death of the Queen, Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Balmoral and Sandringham are available, yet both Prince William and King Charles are still living in their old homes,” he continues.
“A real game of homes is needed. Some need to be sold off and others turned into fulltime museums or the public will start to ask questions as to the cost of them all.”
