Charles has allegedly been asking Andrew to move out for over a year, especially after withdrawing the Duke’s £1 million annual allowance in the wake of Andrew’s association with Jeffrey Epstein. This raised questions about how Andrew could afford the estimated £260,000 annual rent and £400,000 upkeep of the historic property. Despite these financial challenges, Andrew remains firmly rooted at Royal Lodge.
Sources told The Mirror that King Charles himself has been covering Andrew’s expenses. One insider reportedly told Mail Online: “He [Andrew] doesn’t have many friends anymore… It’s got to be family, and the obvious person is the King.” Another source, described as a guest of the Windsor residence, added: “Charles has paid for it all. The King has cleared it. It’s all done.”
This revelation adds to the mounting speculation about Andrew’s future in the royal fold. With Christmas approaching, a decision looms over whether Andrew will join the royals for their traditional walk to church at Sandringham. For the past two years, Andrew has participated in the public ceremony alongside King Charles, Queen Camilla, and his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
However, royal writer Stephen Bates cautions that Andrew’s inclusion wouldn’t signify full reconciliation. He told The Times: “Charles has a clear sense of the damage Andrew has done to the institution of monarchy.”
Andrew, largely withdrawn from public life since stepping down from royal duties five years ago, reportedly spends his time at Windsor riding horses and playing golf.