Prince Andrew's refusal to leave Royal Lodge explained as 'arrogant' Duke 'fears losing everything'
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A Royal commentator has divulged why Prince Andrew is withstanding the push to vacate Royal Lodge amid a heated sibling dispute. Despite King Charles' persistent efforts to get Andrew to leave the £30million Windsor residence, the disgraced Duke of York stands firm for a critical reason.
Over past months, the 75-year-old sovereign has attempted to convince his younger brother to downsize, even offering Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's old estate property as an alternative dwelling for the Duke. Additionally, the King has reined in security arrangements at Andrew's current abode – expenditures he is believed to have shouldered – but the 64-year-old prince is adamant about staying, now asserting he can independently finance his protection detail.
Royal specialist Rupert Bell shed some light on the situation during a broadcast with Times Radio: "One of the problems that Prince Andrew has is that he is occasionally convinced of his rightness, and he gets himself into hot water with his stubbornness and sometimes his own arrogance has caused him to create these problems."
Bell observed, broadening the insight into the duke's rationale: "He feels like he lost everything and if he loses his house, well then he probably feels that even more has been taken away from him."
Navigating the family dynamics, Bell noted: "It's an interesting dynamic between these two but King is trying in a way to force his hand but if Andrew says I can afford to live here, then there's not much the King can do."
The lease Andrew signed back in 2003 secures him a long-term stake in the property—a 75-year term that complicates any swift resolution to the ongoing stand-off, reports the Express.
A source has revealed to the Sun on Sunday: "Prince Andrew is holding firm and is determined to stay in the Royal Lodge."
"He is insistent that he has the funds to pay for his own security, despite the eyewatering seven-figure sum it is reportedly costing him."
"He is no longer a financial burden on the King and sees no reason why he should have to move from his home."
Prince Andrew is keen for his Royal Lodge residence to be passed down to his daughters, Princesses Eugenie, 34, and Beatrice, 36. Although the princesses are royals, they do not feature in the new 'slimmed down monarchy' vision that King Charles has rolled out alongside Queen Camilla.
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