Expert: King Charles Trying to Prevent "Knockdown" War with Prince Andrew over Lavish Residence

The Duke of York, who has faced criticism, is reportedly resisting relocating from his grand Royal Lodge to the more modest Frogmore Cottage.

The former residence of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the U.K. has been vacant for over a year since they were asked to leave. It was previously reported that King Charles' younger brother was expected to reduce his living space after his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The Royal Lodge in Windsor, worth $37 million, is where the 64-year-old resides. Since 2003, he has lived on the property, which requires an estimated $503,000 annually for maintenance.

"According to Christopher Andersen, author of "The King," Andrew is not going anywhere for the time being. It is unlikely that King Charles, who is battling cancer along with his daughter-in-law Kate Middleton, is in the mood for a heated argument with his brother."

"Andrew will move from Royal Lodge only if he cannot afford to heat or light it, according to Andersen. For now, Frogmore is likely to remain vacant. It's worth noting that the King was successful in evicting Andrew from Buckingham Palace, where the Duke of York has maintained his private apartment for many years."

The Sovereign Grant Report for the 2023-2024 financial year, which was published by The Royal Household on July 24, detailed the partially taxpayer-funded sum spent to support the monarch's official duties and occupied royal palaces, as reported by People magazine.

"It's doubtful that King Charles – who, along with his daughter-in-law Kate Middleton, is battling cancer – is in the mood for a knockdown drag-out with his brother." — Christopher Andersen, author of "The King"

The palace official confirmed that Frogmore Cottage, the former home of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, remains vacant, despite curiosity from the public.

"An official stated at a briefing that they do not believe it is appropriate to speculate on who will occupy Frogmore cottage in the future, as the Sovereign Grant has been fully reimbursed for the refurbishment costs and only requires routine maintenance."

Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the matter when contacted by Planet Chronicle Digital.

""The royals have always played musical chairs, moving from one grandiose residence to another as the seasons change - or simply on a whim," Andersen explained. However, vast estates left unoccupied for long periods are not a good look, some members of Parliament have pointed out, for a country facing a housing crisis."

In March 2023, it was reported that the monarch, 75, offered Frogmore Cottage to his brother, 64.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's U.K. home, situated on Windsor Castle grounds, was requested to be vacated by a spokesperson for the couple. This was their primary residence prior to relinquishing royal duties and relocating to California in 2020.

A spokesperson for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex confirmed that they have been asked to leave Frogmore Cottage.

On January 11, 2023, Charles initiated the eviction process, one day after the release of Harry's memoir "Spare." The book contained Harry's recollections of private talks with his father and older brother Prince William, who is the heir to the British throne.

When they departed from Britain, Harry and Meghan Markle declared that Frogmore Cottage would continue to serve as their base when they returned to the U.K.

In September 2020, it was revealed that the couple had returned 2.4 million pounds ($3.2 million) of British taxpayers' money that was used to renovate their home while they were working members of the royal family.

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The cost of renovation was "completely covered" by the money, the spokesperson stated.

In June 2023, Prince Harry and Meghan no longer resided at Frogmore Cottage.

According to People magazine, Sir Michael Stevens, Keeper of the Privy Purse, confirmed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have left Frogmore Cottage.

"The Sovereign Grant for Frogmore Cottage renovation has been repaid by the Duke and Duchess, resulting in a valuable asset for the Crown."

The outlet reported that the couple's belongings were sent to their home in California, in addition to the item mentioned.

According to Kinsey Schofield, the host of the To Di For Daily podcast, palace sources are dismayed by Andrew's inflexibility.

"Prince Andrew does not require a large home, according to Schofield. The additional security expenses and high maintenance costs of Royal Lodge make it unaffordable for Prince Andrew."

""The king plans to reduce and simplify things for his brother by relocating him to Frogmore Cottage, which has undergone extensive renovations and offers ample space," she revealed."

"Schofield stated that Prince Andrew is not a team player and is entitled, believing he was promised something by the late Queen Elizabeth. His mother, who was his most powerful ally, has passed away."

The disappointing duke had a significant support system in his mother, but lost his ability to negotiate after she passed away.

"It's unfortunate that Andrew has placed an additional burden on the king by disregarding his instructions. Despite the king's poor health and efforts to maintain peace and healing, Andrew remains a persistent source of frustration."

Royal author claims that Queen Elizabeth remained incredibly close to Prince Andrew right up until her death.

In 2019, Andrew stepped back from royal duties due to his controversial connection to Epstein and was stripped of his honorary military titles. Before her death in 2022, the queen removed his honorary leadership of charities and barred him from using the title "his royal highness" in official settings.

The council in York voted unanimously to revoke Prince Andrew's "freedom of the city." The honor was granted to him in 1987, and he is the first person to have it taken away. Local leaders have also called for him to lose his title as Duke of York. A spokesperson for Andrew declined to comment on the matter.

In 2020, Virginia Roberts Giuffre filed a lawsuit accusing Andrew of exploiting her sexually on three occasions in 2001 when she was 17. Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

In 2022, a U.S. judge dismissed the sex abuse lawsuit against Andrew, who settled with Giuffre. The prince made a substantial donation to his accuser's charity and declared he never intended to harm her reputation.

In 2019, at the age of 66, Epstein was discovered deceased in his cell. The U.S. attorney in Manhattan charged Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's former girlfriend, with aiding in the recruitment of his underage victims. She was found guilty in 2021 and is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.

Andrew was mentioned in previously concealed court records concerning Epstein that were made public in the new year. This was part of a 2015 lawsuit brought against Maxwell by Giuffre.

The records, including transcripts of interviews with some of Epstein's victims and old police reports, revealed that the millionaire had surrounded himself with famous and powerful figures, some of whom have also been accused of misconduct.

As the king prioritizes his health, Andrew appears to lack allies.

Despite polls showing that most Britons wanted Andrew out of Britain altogether, the late Queen Elizabeth was hesitant to punish her favorite son for his involvement with Jeffrey Epstein, a serial sex offender.

"Despite Charles's plea to remove Andrew from his royal duties and lavish home at Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, the queen refused."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.