Prince Andrew is now a “prisoner” of the Royal Lodge who spends his days watching TV in a darkened room, a friend of King Charles has claimed.
Charles is reportedly willing to fund his disgraced younger brother after the Duke of York was stripped of his titles.
Andrew cuts an increasingly tragic figure who “spends his days watching television in a darkened room”, according to The Times.
A friend of King Charles claimed life in the Royal Lodge will become “increasingly cold and uncomfortable” for Andrew if he refuses to hand back the keys.
They told The Times: “It can be done tidily or untidily. It can be done with grace and dignity or it can be forced upon him. It’s all rather sad.
“But as things stand, life at Royal Lodge is set to become increasingly cold and uncomfortable for the duke.
“The only question now is when he will realise that he has become a prisoner of his own pride — and that handing back the keys will afford him far greater comfort, and the continued support of his family.”
Andrew shares the 30-room mansion in Windsor with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
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The father-of-two has called the Royal Lodge his home for 20 years and signed a 75-year lease on it only paying £250-a-week.
The Duke of York is said to have been “making a point of the matter” even though he has no chance of returning to royal duties.
A source told the newspaper: “The King’s kindness is not without limit and there is a very good option for Andrew to move into Frogmore Cottage, recently vacated by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, which also has the benefit of being within the Windsor Castle security cordon hence reducing the need for alternative round-the-clock security for Royal Lodge.
“He is taking longer than desirable to recognise the reality of the situation, even though it is clearly the most sensible course of action.
Prince Andrew was stripped of his military titles and patronages in 2022Getty“If he doesn’t agree to move to a property better suited to his needs, then the King may have to reconsider the levels of support he is willing to provide.”
A recent YouGov poll showed Prince Andrew is popular with just nine per cent of respondents.
More than three-in-four (76 per cent) said they disliked the Duke of York.
There had been speculation that King Charles could look to relocate Prince Andrew to the Sussexes’ former home Frogmore Cottage.
The monarch’s wish for Andrew to downsize came as he reportedly cut his £250,000 annual allowance that he had been previously provided with by the late Queen Elizabeth.