King hits roadblock as Andrew ‘allowing himself to be humiliated’ amid bitter feud
King Charles’s plans to streamline the monarchy have hit a roadblock as Prince Andrew is “allowing himself to be humiliated” amid their bitter feud, a royal commentator has claimed.
The Duke of York has been asked to relocate from Royal Lodge to the smaller Frogmore Cottage, which was recently vacated by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle following their £2.4million renovation.
The move is part of King Charles’s broader initiative to downsize the Royal Family’s property portfolio.
The Duke of York has lived at Royal Lodge since 2003, sharing the residence with his former wife Sarah Ferguson.
Despite pressure from the Palace and reports that even the late Queen Elizabeth II had considered similar measures, Andrew remains steadfast in his refusal to leave the grand Windsor Estate property.
The residence includes multiple cottages and spans an impressive 40 hectares of land.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond has questioned Prince Andrew’s stance on the proposed move.
“I wonder why he is allowing himself to be so humiliated?” Bond asked.
She criticised the Duke of York’s apparent fixation with status, saying: “He could live at Frogmore, which has enough room for Fergie and the rest of the family to visit when they want.
“It is close to the castle and it would give him the chance to calm down relations with his brother, so what is stopping him? Status. He is hung up on image and grandeur.”
Bond noted that King Charles has been generous in his approach to the situation.
She continued to tell OK!: “Charles has given him plenty of time and a very generous option to move into Frogmore Cottage which is within the security cordon and has recently had an expensive makeover.
Recent pictures have revealed Royal Lodge to be in a state of disrepair, prompting concerns about its upkeep.
Bond suggested the late Queen had similar reservations about Andrew’s living situation, stating: “I think the late Queen probably realised that it didn’t look good to have a disgraced prince living in a mansion for a peppercorn rent.”
The royal commentator is particularly critical of how the situation appears to the public.
She continued: “This is not just money, it is how it looks: an idle and disgraced duke swanning around on his horse, watching aircraft taking off or landing on a big screen and driving his Range Rover about his sizeable estate with no visible means of income except what his mother, and now his big brother, choose to give him.
It’s not a good image,” she concluded.
Royal Lodge has a rich history as a beloved retreat of the Queen Mother, who lived there until her death in March 2002.
The property features several unique additions made by the Queen Mother, including a mini cottage called Y Bwthyn Bach, which was gifted to the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1932.
Following the Queen Mother’s death, Prince Andrew took over the lease in 2003, which includes extensive property beyond the main house.
The lease encompasses the Gardener’s Cottage, Chapel Lodge, six Lodge Cottages, police security accommodation and 40 hectares of land.
