‘Selfish’ Prince Andrew is threatening Kings’s coronation by refusing to move from royal lodge, expert warns
PRINCE Andrew is refusing to leave his Windsor home and royal expert says his “selfish” behaviour could threaten King Charles’ coronation.
The Duke of York has told friends he will not be able to afford the upkeep on his grace-and-favour mansion when his annual grant of £249,000 grant is slashed in April.
He is one of a number of royals whose running costs will be cut now that King Charles is in charge of the purse strings following the death of the Queen.
The unpopular royal has a 60-plus year lease on the 30-room mansion and reportedly pays just £250-a-week for it.
MP Norman Baker, an expert in royal finances told, MailOnline: “It’s time Andrew started living within his means rather than expecting other people to subsidise his luxurious lifestyle.
“If he can’t pay a commercial rent for the property with his own money, he should be evicted and relocate to somewhere much smaller.
“The taxpayer is subsidising him.”
Biographer and investigative journalist Tom Bower said: “Andrew’s selfish behaviour threatens King Charles’ reputation and even the Coronation.
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“He thinks that he can brazen out the bad predicament he himself created.
“By issuing threats, he is playing with fire.
“The King’s best solution is to force Andrew out of the vast house, accept much more modest accommodation and persuade him that his bid for rehabilitation is pointless – and in the end will be self-destructive.
“Not only for himself but also his two daughters.”
The Duke lives in Royal Lodge with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, and the pair are believed to be distraught they have been given such sort notice to leave the palatial property.
It is thought that the pair could move into a £5million mews house bought by Fergie in 2022.
The upmarket Belgravia pad has had a complete overhaul and sources close to her say that it was an “investment property” for daughters Beatrice, 34, and Eugenie, 32.
Sarah Ferguson paid cash for the London home, and it is thought the property would be rented out to tenants.
One insider said: “They are looking to keep it empty to use themselves.”
“It’s a far cry from a mansion on the Windsor estate, but this is their only London property.”
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said: “What the Royal Family do with a problem like Andrew is unclear.
“He has, as far can can be seen, absolutely no intention of undertaking charitable duties, as the Queen reportedly suggested, in search of future redemption, since he sees no reason for penance. In the court of public opinion he is already guilty.
“Yet it would appear he has, or will have, access to very considerable funds.
“King Charles may reduce his grant.
“It seems, however, extremely unlikely that he will change his lifestyle, however reprehensible it may appear to the public.”
An insider 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?
“If he (the King) wants to spend millions reimbursing him for the money he’s already spent on the property, that’s another matter.’
“Could you imagine a situation where the Duke threatens to sue his brother, the King, over money. It would be unthinkable.”