King Charles is reportedly weighing up his options after becoming increasingly frustrated with brother Prince Andrew’s refusal to leave the Royal Lodge.
Prince Andrew, 64, is still squatting in the £30 million royal mansion despite being told to leave nearly five years ago.
The disgraced Prince’s state security was removed following a home office review and he is now being guarded by a £3 million a year private security team funded by the King’s own wealth. He also receives a generous living allowance also provided to him by Charles.
But the King is said to be losing patience over ‘The Andrew Problem’ and has made it clear there are now ‘only two possible options’ left for his brother, The Times reported.
The first is for Andrew to become financially independent and find the means to fund his own expenses and security detail – but as the Duke has no discernable income and has never held a proper job, this option is looking unlikely.
The second, and more likely option, is for Andrew to agree to move into ‘more suitable accommodation’, with Harry and Meghan’s former home Frogmore Cottage being earmarked as an appropriate new abode for the prince.
Frogmore Cottage has the benefit of being within the existing security cordon of the royal Windsor estate, and was recently refurbished by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex before they moved abroad.
Andrew is thought to have been given an autumn deadline to leave Royal Lodge, it was reported last month, following an ultimatum by the King.
But Andrew has been reluctant to leave, having signed a 75-year lease with the Crown Estate when he moved in in 2003 on condition of making a £1million down payment and paying £260,000-a-year in rent.
Last month it was reported that Charles is said to be ‘reconsidering’ the amount of money he gives Andrew, and was said to have personally told his brother’s security team their services will not be needed once their contract expires in autumn.
A source has described the stand-off between Charles and Andrew as ‘the siege of Royal Lodge’, and told the Times he is ‘taking longer than desirable to recognise the reality of the situation, even though it is clearly the most sensible course of action’.
The King is reportedly looking to generate income from the Royal Lodge once it is finally vacated by renting it out for £1 million a year- but will need to kick his brother out first.
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