The ongoing royal confrontation between King Charles III and his brother Prince Andrew has intensified, with the Duke of York showing no signs of surrendering his lavish Windsor residence despite mounting pressure from the monarch.
According to senior Conservative MP Robert Jenrick, the former immigration minister, Prince Andrew is "digging in" at the 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, creating a significant constitutional headache for the King. The sprawling property, which Andrew shares with his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, has become the epicentre of a royal power struggle.
The Financial Squeeze
The tension escalated dramatically when King Charles withdrew Prince Andrew's £3 million annual allowance from the Queen's former privy purse. This bold financial move was widely interpreted as pressure on the Duke to downsize to the more modest Frogmore Cottage - the former home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
However, sources close to the Duke indicate he's determined to remain in the home he's extensively renovated and considers his family residence. "He's not moving," one insider stated bluntly, highlighting the depth of the stalemate.
A Constitutional Conundrum
Mr Jenrick emphasised the broader implications of this family dispute, telling The Independent: "It does raise a constitutional question. The King is now in a very difficult position."
The MP suggested that if the King cannot persuade his own brother to comply with royal streamlining efforts, it raises questions about his authority within the institution. This situation emerges as Charles seeks to modernise and create a more cost-effective monarchy.
The Royal Lodge Investment
Prince Andrew's attachment to Royal Lodge is deeply personal. He secured a 75-year lease on the property in 2003 and has invested considerable personal funds into its restoration and maintenance. The Duke reportedly believes this financial commitment strengthens his claim to remain, despite no longer being a working royal.
This royal standoff comes at a delicate time for the monarchy, with the King simultaneously managing his own cancer treatment while attempting to steer the royal family through a period of significant transition and public scrutiny.
