King Charles desperate to avoid ‘knockdown’ war with Prince Andrew, who refuses to leave lavish digs: expert
-Disgraced Duke of York announced in 2019 he was stepping back from royal duties after his ties to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein
https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/king-charles-desperate-avoid-knockdown-war-prince-andrew-refuses-leave-lavish-digs-expert
Prince Andrew, the disgraced Duke of York, is said to be digging his heels, refusing to leave his lavish Royal Lodge home for the smaller Frogmore Cottage.
The former U.K. home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle remains empty more than a year after the couple was asked to vacate. It was previously reported that King Charles’ younger sibling was expected to downsize following his ties to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The 64-year-old resides in the palatial Royal Lodge in Windsor, which is reportedly worth $37 million. He has lived on the property since 2003, and it requires an estimated $503,000 annually for upkeep.
"Andrew isn't going anywhere for the time being," Christopher Andersen, author of "The King," told Fox News Digital. "It's doubtful that King Charles - who, along with his daughter-in-law Kate Middleton, is battling cancer - is in the mood for a knockdown drag-out with his brother."
"If and when Andrew does move, it will simply be because he doesn't have the money to heat Royal Lodge or keep the lights on," Andersen shared. "In the meantime, Frogmore will likely remain empty. It's worth noting that the King had better luck evicting Andrew from Buckingham Palace, where the Duke of York has maintained his private apartment for decades."
On July 24, The Royal Household published the Sovereign Grant Report for the 2023-2024 financial year. It detailed the partially taxpayer-funded sum spent to support the monarch's official duties and occupied royal palaces, People magazine reported. According to the outlet, curiosity around the status of Frogmore Cottage prompted a palace official to clarify that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's former home is still empty.
"I don’t think, at this point, I would speculate on who will be the future occupants of the cottage," an official said at a briefing, as reported by the U.K.'s Independent. "The Sovereign Grant has been fully reimbursed for the refurbishment costs of Frogmore cottage when it was initially provided to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and, therefore, there is no cost to the Sovereign Grant other than some routine maintenance, but it would be required for any of the buildings."
A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace didn't immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment