Prince Andrew's efforts to save his $38M home have left King Charles feeling frustrated, according to experts.
The British monarch, who is fighting cancer, celebrated her 76th birthday on Nov. 14.
The monarch, King Charles III, is celebrating his 76th birthday and his one reported wish is to resolve his "Andrew issue."
The Sunday Times in the U.K. reported that Prince Andrew has secured the funds necessary to remain at his luxurious Royal Lodge residence, despite having his personal allowance reduced by the monarch, following his disgrace.
Buckingham Palace did not immediately respond to Planet Chronicle Digital's request for comment.
Despite his cancer treatment and rigorous work schedule, the king will celebrate his birthday with family and give thanks for being alive, according to British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard.
Despite King Charles' decision to financially cut him off, the Royal Lodge problem persists, with Prince Andrew being viewed as an idle, entitled, and privileged duke in the court of public opinion.
"Prince Andrew has been recognized as fragile by King Charles, but he has also acknowledged that he has caused a lot of distress to himself through poor judgments and interviews," Chard stated. "Despite this, Andrew will be able to maintain his lease and pay for his Windsor home because he has friends in high places who are willing to provide the necessary funds."
"King Charles recognizes that Andrew is fragile but also acknowledges that he has inflicted a lot of upset on himself by making appalling judgments, tragic interviews and more." — Helena Chard, British broadcaster and photographer
The Sunday Times reported that Charles instructed the Keeper of the Privy Purse to remove Andrew's $1.3 million annual personal allowance and stop paying for his security. Despite this, Andrew has raised enough money to continue living at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, which is worth a reported $38 million.
Since 2004, the 64-year-old has resided in the 31-room estate with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson. The property, which has undergone over $9 million in repairs and renovations and cost $1 million to acquire, requires an estimated $503,000 annually for maintenance. The annual rent for the palatial estate is reportedly $337,000.
The Keeper of the Privy Purse approved Andrew's funds as legitimate sources.
As head of state, King Charles has important duties to fulfill and cannot afford to dwell on Prince Andrew. Prince Andrew may have been Queen Elizabeth's favorite son, but he is not King Charles' favorite brother. King Charles will not be as forgiving and caring as his mother would have been.
"The brothers are experiencing frustration and animosity, with Prince Andrew refusing to budge from Royal Lodge despite his reputation being at an all-time low, while King Charles wants the Andrew problem resolved for the sake of the royal family."
According to sources, the king was growing increasingly frustrated with his brother's living arrangements and felt he had reached his limit.
The king, who is fighting cancer, has stopped renewing the contract for Andrew's private security team, which costs him nearly $4 million annually.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson refused to comment on security matters when asked by Planet Chronicle Digital.
Royal expert Hilary Fordwich stated on Planet Chronicle Digital that the relationship between King Charles III and Prince Andrew has reached its lowest point. The defeat of Prince Andrew, who has been granted the right to live out the rest of his life at his grand home, known as the "Siege of Royal Lodge," until 2078, has left King Charles III reeling.
Royal author claims that Queen Elizabeth remained incredibly close to Prince Andrew right up until her death.
According to Fordwich, Prince Andrew obtained the funds from his connections in the Middle East.
The duke, who was "on the verge of eviction," was predicted to reduce his holdings due to his connection to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
If Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had moved into Frogmore Cottage, the former U.K. home of the royal couple, the king would have covered his brother's living expenses, according to the outlet.
Since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were asked to vacate, Frogmore Cottage has remained vacant. Now, they reside in California.
After Andrew reportedly refused to downsize, the king axed his allowance.
The Royal Lodge requires repairs, with an estimated cost of $2.5 million, as the prince struggles to maintain its upkeep, according to Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner.
"Charles expressed his desire for Prince Andrew to move into Harry and Meghan's former residence. He stated that the best gift he could give himself would be to promptly resolve this chaotic situation."
Andrew previously told Planet Chronicle Digital that he is a prisoner of his own pride.
Fordwich stated that Prince Andrew is determined to remain, as Charles aims to be esteemed by taxpayers in his pursuit of being the "People's King." Charles' vision of the monarchy and "cutting back costs" encompasses all non-working royals, including Prince Andrew.
"Prince Andrew is viewed negatively by the British public, with low popularity ratings and little sympathy. He fails to connect with the financially struggling populace."
In 2019, Andrew withdrew from royal duties following his Newsnight interview where he tried to address his contentious relationship with Epstein. Additionally, he lost his honorary military titles.
In 2022, the queen removed the honorary leadership of various charities, known as royal patronages, and barred him from using the title "his royal highness" in official settings before she died.
The council in York unanimously voted to revoke the "freedom of the city" that was granted to Prince Andrew in 1987. This is the first time that the honor, which dates back to medieval times, has been taken away.
Since then, local leaders have contended that Andrew should relinquish the title of Duke of York in addition to his royal duties. However, a representative for Andrew refused to provide any comment on the matter at the time.
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 documents, including interviews with some of Epstein's accusers and old police reports, revealed that the wealthy businessman had been associated with prominent and influential individuals, some of whom have also been implicated in wrongdoing.
The prince has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
entertainment
You might also like
- Zach Bryan's ex-girlfriend accuses him of emotional abuse and calls out his silence.
- Demi Moore expresses discomfort with a close-up shot of her behind in a new film.
- An awkward encounter occurred between Denzel Washington, star of 'Gladiator II', and King Charles.
- 'Blue Bloods' actress speaks out after family confirms her absence.
- Sydney Sweeney criticizes Hollywood's 'women empowering other women' message as insincere.