Prince Andrew’s eviction fears
Prince Andrew is facing eviction from his £30 million (~$53m) Windsor home, according to reports. The controversial royal figure is allegedly “distraught” over the news that a cut to his yearly earnings is on the horizon.
It is expected that Andrew will have his allowance of 249,000 (~$440,000) cut in April, the same allowance that he has been “dependent” on since he took a step back from his royal duties in 2019 in the wake of sexual assault allegations against him.
Andrew has reportedly informed his friends that he will be unable to maintain his home, Royal Lodge, without the money from his brother, and will be forced to leave the property by September. Reports claim that the 30-room mansion is in need of extensive work.
Despite the cutbacks, Andrew will not be left penniless, as he will maintain his Navy pension.
The Duke of York currently resides at the property with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson. It has served at the official country residence of the 63-year-old since 2004, and was previously the Windsor residence of Queen Elizabeth II’s mother.
Andrew’s yearly allowance, paid out from his mother’s private estate, has allowed for the upkeep of Royal Lodge. However, King Charles III is now in control of those payments, and with his goals for the British monarchy, his sights have been set on Andrew.
Over the Christmas period, it is alleged that a senior royal made the joke that “we will kick Andrew out of the house.”
The jest is likely to have fallen flat with the royal, as a source informed The Sun, “Andrew and Sarah are distraught they have been given such short notice.
“The Queen died only a few months ago. He’s not being explicitly kicked out but it’s expected that he won’t be able to afford the maintenance - Royal Lodge has a swimming pool, 98 acres of land, and is already in need of some repair.”
The source went on to explain that Charles’ decision was about telling Andrew “he can use his own money to pay for things” and how the same went for other members of the royal family, such as Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
“And while there is leniency with working members of the family, who have offices funded by the Sovereign Grant,” they added, “there have been other examples.”
It was mentioned that Charles “doesn’t feel he should pay for the upkeep of ponies to pull the carriage” in reference to Charles’ aim to slim down the British monarchy, and the review into how their money is being spent.
“He knows the public won’t want to see money wasted,” the source surmised. “Particularly in the current climate.”
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