Prince Andrew ‘will refuse to leave’ as he faces eviction from £30m mansion he pays just £250 a week for, insider claims
PRINCE Andrew has reportedly told friends he “will refuse to leave” his Windsor estate that he pays just £250-a-week for.
There are mounting suggestions he may be forced out of the £30million mansion after King Charles indicated he would slash Andrew’s £250,000 allowance as part of his plan to reduce royal costs.
But the disgraced Duke of York was has reportedly told pals he has no intention to move from the sprawling 30-bedroom Royal Lodge after spending millions of his own money on renovations.
One source told the Mirror: “He (said) he’s not leaving, there is no chance that will happen and even if the King wanted him how would that work?
“The King won’t evict him so there is no chance it will come to that.
“If he (the King) wants to spend millions reimbursing him for the money he’s already spent on the property, that’s another matter.”
The insider added: “Could you imagine a situation where the Duke threatens to sue his brother, the King, over money.
“It would be unthinkable.”
It comes as The Sun reported that Prince Andrew feared he could be forced out of the Royal Lodge by the King within months.
The Duke was warned that cash to maintain the extravagant mansion could be cut when a senior royal joked at Christmas: “We will kick Andrew out of the house.”
Prince Andrew, 63, has been living at Royal Lodge with his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, also 63.
His home has a swimming pool, 98 acres of land and is in need of repair across the estate.
The Duke thought he had a home for life when he signed a 75-year lease for the Royal Lodge in 2003 for a one-off £1million.
But when Andrew was hit by a bombshell sex scandal – which he denies – he stepped down from being a working royal and therefore no longer received public funds.
The Queen paid Andrew a yearly subsidy — last reported to be £249,000 — from her private fortune, enabling him to fund his home.
But as King, Charles, 74, is now in control of the £652.8million Duchy of Lancaster fund — also known as the Privy Purse.
And the King has reportedly asked all members of the royal family to tighten their belts and to expect less money from the Duchy in the last few weeks.
A substantial cut to Andrew’s income will see him with only his Navy pension to rely on, as his business interests have dried up.
The Duke of York is reported to have told friends he may struggle to maintain upkeep of the home without receiving hundreds of thousands of pounds every year from the King.
However, Andrew is understood to have netted a substantial windfall from the Queen’s will following her passing last September.
And The Sun reported that it is understood that the King will not leave his brother homeless or penniless.
A source said: “This is about Charles telling Andrew he can use his own money to pay for things.
“The same goes for other members of the family, such as Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
“And while there is leniency with working members of the family, who have offices funded by the Sovereign Grant, there have been other examples.”
Buckingham Palace has been contacted for comment.