Prince Andrew’s “real problem” with moving out of Royal Lodge has been pinpointed by royal expert Michael Cole, as the ongoing feud between the estranged Duke and King Charles show little sign of ceasing.
The Duke of York is “refusing to budge” from the residence which he has lived in with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson since 2003, the BBC’s ex-royal correspondent told GB News.
Andrew is legally bound to Royal Lodge on a 75-year lease, but the King is hoping to move his brother into Frogmore Cottage, the former home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Detailing the latest in the royal feud, Cole told GB News that Andrew “believes he deserves” the security protection of which the monarch is currently paying for. However, the security arrangements are set to end in the next few months.
King Charles and Prince Andrew are in a battle over his tenancy at Royal Lodge
PA
Cole explained: “Andrew has to take care of the upkeep of the building. When you have an old rambling house that like that one, it’s very expensive to to maintain.
“His real problem is that the King, who has been paying for his security detail at Royal Lodge, this is coming to an end. The contract has been terminated.”
Highlighting the monarch’s desire for Andrew to move into a smaller property, Cole noted that Charles “withdrawing his security is sending a signal” to his brother.
Cole told GB News: “It’s a huge expense over the year, and it’s a question for Prince Andrew. He wants the protection, he believes that he deserves it. So who is going to pay?
“And perhaps by withdrawing his payment for the contract, the King is signalling to Prince Andrew that he wants him to go to Frogmore Cottage.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Turning the discussion to Frogmore Cottage, Cole said that because residence will be “within the security boundary of Windsor Castle”, it will be easier to supply security for Andrew.
He said: “Frogmore Cottage is not such a problem because it’s closer to Windsor Castle, and it is within the security boundary of the castle, so it wouldn’t be such a problem to be able to accomplish it.”
When asked by host Nana Akua why Andrew and Sarah are so reluctant to vacate Royal Lodge, Cole suggested that it is a “question of status” for the disgraced ex-senior royal.
Cole claimed: “I think it’s a question of status. Prince Andrew is very well aware of his status as the late Queen’s second son, and he doesn’t want to.
Michael Cole said the row is an issue of Prince Andrew’s ‘status’ within the Royal Family
GB News
“He thinks it’s befitting his stature as a royal prince to live there. And he’s determined, it seems, at the moment, to stay on.”
Questioning the financial impact of Andrew remaining at Royal Lodge, Cole noted that he will have to fund his own security detail once the King’s contract ends.
He told GB News: “But of course, money talks when you’re starting to have to pay for your own security 24 hours a day. That costs a lot of money. Question is, does he have it?
“I think that’s where reality is going to bite, at the bank balance. Can he afford to stay there if he has to pay his own way? Well, we’ll wait and see. But I would think it was quite doubtful.”
