S Poddar
Prince Andrew might soon be packing his bags from his long-time home at Royal Lodge for Frogmore Cottage, unless he reaches some kind of agreement with his brother, King Charles. Sources close to the matter said King Charles wants to sort the ongoing Andrew situation, particularly with new interest about his scandalous associations with Jeffrey Epstein after an upcoming TV special.
Andrew, at 64 years, has been staying for years at the huge Royal Lodge and has kept a low profile since he stepped away from his royal duties. The residence and use of royal benefits questions concerning Andrew have remained open, even though his case has, for a great measure, been kept well away from public view. King Charles is reportedly keen to see this issue settled soon – he’s been on the throne for two years now.
Many debates have been held regarding this issue of the costs involved in security, and the lifestyle that Andrew leads. The withdrawal of his royal protection came after a review by the Home Office, which had put a question mark on his safety. Alone, the cost of his security can cost as much as £3 million per year. This, besides the heavy annual stipend he enjoys, is turning out to be a burden that King Charles wants to shed.
According to sources close to the royal family, King Charles has given his brother two main options: one in which Andrew would become financially independent and pay for his own security and living expenses. This may prove a little difficult to achieve by the Duke of York, since he reportedly has very little income aside from his naval pension. Maintaining such a lifestyle as he has without the support of royal funds would indeed be an uphill battle for him.
The more workable solution is to relocate Andrew to a more suitable and less expensive abode. Frogmore Cottage on the Windsor estate has emerged as a potential destination. The property had been renovated earlier by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in anticipation of their move to California but is suitably secure and a more apt residence for the more low-key existence now facing Andrew.
King Charles is apparently increasingly impatient that a decision has not yet been reached about where Andrew should go. He is said to have demanded an answer soon, according to a source. The option of moving his brother to Frogmore Cottage has been discussed for several months, during which time the King’s patience is said to be wearing thin.
Despite the possible move, it’s thought King Charles will still make sure to financially support his brother, as well as Andrew’s ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York. Although separated, the pair has remained on good terms, and Sarah still resides with Andrew at Royal Lodge. In the event that Andrew agrees to the move, it is thought the King would make sure he and his ex-wife are looked after financially.
Most speculation has centered, not least in light of current scrutiny of his past associations, on where Andrew will eventually settle. King Charles seems eager to bring this overhanging issue to a close ahead of the upcoming television program that is likely to revive public interest in Andrew’s associations with Jeffrey Epstein.
With many royal observers noting that King Charles has little desire to continue supporting his brother’s current lifestyle at Royal Lodge, a decision about Andrew’s future seemingly isn’t too far away. A move to Frogmore Cottage, while a significant downgrade from his current abode, would afford Andrew a modicum of stability, albeit one smaller in scale than to what he has grown accustomed.
As King Charles works to modernize the monarchy, along with dealing with several family issues, the situation with Andrew is one of the more delicate issues he will have to deal with. What Andrew does in regard to being forced to move-whether he moves or develops another means by which to sustain himself-remains to be seen, but pressure from his brother seems to mount.
