A bombshell claim from a royal biographer has shed new light on the late Queen Elizabeth II's private stance on her son's living arrangements, revealing a secret decision that continues to ripple through the monarchy today.
According to Robert Hardman's new book, Charles III: New King. New Court., the Queen personally vetoed plans for Prince Andrew to permanently take up residence at the prestigious 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park. This previously undisclosed intervention is now at the heart of a tense standoff between the Duke of York and his brother, King Charles.
A Sovereign's Secret Veto
Hardman's biography asserts that the Queen made her position clear behind palace walls. Despite Andrew's long-held affection for the home he shares with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, the monarch did not support the idea of him securing a long-term lease on the Crown Estate property. This decisive move has effectively backed the current King into a corner, forcing him to address a problem his mother foresaw.
The Windsor Showdown
Today, the Royal Lodge has become the epicentre of a royal power struggle. King Charles, reportedly supported by Prince William, is urging Andrew to downsize to the more modest Frogmore Cottage—the former home of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The motivation is twofold: a desire to streamline the monarchy's expenses and to distance the institution from a figure mired in scandal following his civil sexual assault case.
Andrew, however, is digging in his heels. Bolstered by a belief that he has a valid agreement on the property, he is resisting the King's requests. The situation has created an uncomfortable and very public family dispute, highlighting the challenges Charles faces in his new role.
The Weight of the Crown
This revelation paints a picture of a pragmatic and far-sighted monarch in the late Queen. Her reported decision demonstrates an understanding of the long-term reputational and financial risks associated with Andrew's status. It suggests she was acutely aware that the issue of his residence would become a problem for her successor, a burden King Charles is now navigating as he seeks to modernise and protect the future of the Royal Family.
