In 2019, Prince Andrew distanced himself from royal duties following his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the fallout from his infamous BBC Newsnight interview.
Despite this, he continues to reside at Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate. A recent book suggests that King Charles has cut off his brother financially, and royal experts are now speculating on why Andrew is resisting moving out of his home.
According to Robert Hardman’s updated edition of Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story, King Charles has reportedly ceased Andrew’s annual allowance of approximately $1.3 million, with the author stating, “The duke is no longer a financial burden on the King.”
King Charles reportedly ends Prince Andrew’s $1.3 million allowance, stirring speculation on his future
Although Andrew no longer receives financial support from his brother, he appears unwilling to leave Royal Lodge, a property not covered by the security perimeter around Windsor Castle.
Like Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, he lost access to taxpayer-funded security after being stripped of his royal duties. Until recently, the costs associated with his home’s security were covered privately by Queen Elizabeth and later King Charles.
Royal expert Hugo Vickers told The Sun that ideally, Andrew would “volunteer to down-size and move somewhere else,” suggesting Frogmore Cottage as a fitting alternative. He added that it would be a “perfect” option for the Duke of York.
For the past 20 years, Andrew has shared the Royal Lodge with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York. While there may be sentimental reasons behind his reluctance to move, Vickers speculated that Andrew might feel that leaving would imply guilt, especially regarding the sexual assault case with Virginia Giuffre, which was settled out of court in 2022.
Vickers pointed out that Andrew’s lifestyle might not align with his current financial reality. “If you were running a charity you wouldn’t be asking Prince Andrew to come and be your guest of honor.
So nobody wants him in a public way,” he noted. Nevertheless, Andrew remains at Royal Lodge, enjoying leisure activities such as golfing and spending time with family, although these expenses are substantial.
The property itself is said to be in disrepair, with reports of mold and other damage, which would require huge upkeep—something Andrew may not be able to afford. Vickers remarked, “It does indeed look as though he’s just holding the fort and refusing to do the repairs, refusing to go.”
Vickers suggested that Andrew would benefit from finding a dignified way to relocate, with Frogmore Cottage, which lies within the security perimeter, being an ideal choice. He explained that moving there would “make perfect sense” as a new home.
While Vickers acknowledged that King Charles is likely not being vindictive in asking Andrew to leave, he warned that the situation could escalate if Andrew continues to resist.
“If the Duke of York proves to be obstinate and refuses to go then I imagine things will get worse,” he stated, noting that the brothers are not particularly close. He also pointed out that King Charles could ultimately order Andrew to leave Royal Lodge, though whether the monarch will do so remains unclear.
