Prince William and Princess Kate ‘desperate’ to evict Prince Andrew away from…

Just a few weeks ago Prince Andrew walked to church on Christmas Day with King Charles and the rest of the Royal Family marking a gradual return to the fold.

However, sources state that fresh revelations outlined in New York court documents detailing sexual assault allegations against the duke have strengthened the King’s resolve that his brother must never be allowed to resume royal duties and should be forced out of Royal Lodge.

A well-placed source tells Express.co.uk that Prince William and Catherine would “welcome and support” the King’s decision to turf Andrew out of Royal Lodge as they have been eyeing up the property for quite some time.

“It’s no secret that William and Kate have been trying to secure Royal Lodge for their family. They are in desperate need of a larger property to accommodate their household,” the source said. “The wheels finally seem to be in motion to remove Andrew from the property which William and Kate welcome and support wholeheartedly.”

Read more: FBI urged to release CCTV footage that might show Prince Andrew with Epstein
The source adds that plans were put in motion to evict Andrew from Royal Lodge last year when he was handed the keys to Frogmore Cottage which is in keeping with his “downgraded” royal status. However, Andrew refused to move into Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s old home because it was said to be “too small” for his highness.

The Palace originally wanted Andrew out of Royal Lodge so that the property could be renovated and prepared for new lodgers,” a source said last year. “However, Andrew was having none of it and is adamant that he will see out the end of his lease at Royal Lodge.”

The lease of Royal Lodge was granted to Andrew in August 2003 for a term of 75 years, and he paid a lump sum of £1million to the Crown Estate to secure it. It was revealed last year how the Duke of York was provided for in Queen Elizabeth’s will and, as a result, was able to come up with the money to make essential repairs to remain in compliance with the terms of the lease.

The source adds that the duke won’t go down without a fight and is prepared to “give everything he’s got” to hold onto his home. However, Andrew will be forced to fund future security operations at his Windsor home himself and other expenses will see the costs mount which, in turn, could see him fault on the lease agreement.

It won’t be easy but there’s no other way of removing Andrew from the fold without demoting him and cutting off his funding. It’s basically trying to force him out by ensuring that he is unable to meet the costs so that he defaults on the lease,” the source said.

Although the King adores his brother, he must put the monarchy first and do what’s best for the family. That means ensuring that Andrew never conducts another royal engagement and removing him from a rather significant royal residence on the Windsor estate.”

It was revealed last June how the Prince and Princess of Wales had resigned themselves to the fact that they had to remain in Adelaide Cottage due to Andrew’s stubbornness to vacate Royal Lodge despite it being originally earmarked for their young family.

William and Kate love the cottage but it’s just too small for them. There are four bedrooms which just about fit them all in but there are other things that need to be considered. Staff and other elements need to be factored in,” a source said about William and Kate’s home last year.

“It is also meant to be a working residence and there isn’t room to facilitate an office or hold more than a few guests at a time.