Prince Andrew has refused King Charles' demand to vacate the 30-room mansion, Royal Lodge, in a desperate bid to retain his “remaining power” after being downgraded in his royal status.
According to the Daily Express, Talk TV host Kevin O’Sullivan highlighted the significance of Andrew’s hold on the mansion after being asked to move out by King Charles. O'Sullivan noted, "[Andrew] has lost everything. And he doesn't like it. Andrew thinks he should be allowed a way back [into the fold], so him hanging on to the key of the Royal Lodge has become symbolic for him."
He added, "It's a symbol of his remaining power. 'While I still got these keys, I can still stand up to my brother [King Charles].' That basically is it as I understand it."
For context, the 75-year-old monarch has threatened to pull funding for the Royal Lodge unless Andrew moves to a more modest residence at Frogmore Cottage. However, the Duke of York remains defiant, bolstered by a 75-year lease he acquired following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Andrew stepped back from his role as a working royal in 2020 after his BBC Newsnight interview revealed his association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Royal expert Kinsey Schofield observed, "Looking at the pictures we've seen over the last few weeks, it's a poor reflection on Prince Andrew that the building is falling to pieces, and he's not really in a position to financially keep up with it at this point in time. He doesn't have a regular job and, with the way the world is right now, many people are unhappy with his association with Jeffrey Epstein and prefer to keep their distance."
