In a significant royal shakeup, King Charles dismissed the private security detail assigned to Prince Andrew at the Royal Lodge.
The Daily Mail reported that as part of a broader effort to prompt Prince Andrew's departure from the Royal Lodge, King Charles has terminated his brother’s private security services.
Prince Andrew has resided at Royal Lodge, a lavish 30-room mansion in Windsor, since 2003.
The property, estimated at £30 million, has been his home along with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, under a 75-year lease agreement with the Crown Estate secured with an initial £1 million payment.
The recent decision to end the private security arrangement marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between the brothers.
King Charles has been financially supporting the security services at the Royal Lodge, especially after Prince Andrew lost his £3 million annual armed police protection in 2022, a consequence of his connections to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
According to sources close to the royal family, this move could be interpreted as a clear signal that Prince Andrew should vacate the premises. The security team, consisting of ten individuals, is set to be dismissed starting in Autumn this year.
The speculation about Prince Andrew’s future residence grew after he declined an offer to move to Frogmore Cottage earlier this year. This cottage is considerably smaller but was available for his relocation, an offer he chose not to accept.
"Everyone is speculating this means the Duke will have to leave the Royal Lodge because what other reason could there be to take his security away?" said a Palace insider to The Sun on Sunday.
King Charles’s intent to repurpose the Royal Lodge for commercial revenue once Prince Andrew vacates has been a topic of discussion among royal circles. This strategic move is part of a broader reorganization within the royal estates, aiming to optimize the usage of royal properties.
The same insider revealed, "It isn't a secret that the King wants him out." These developments align with King Charles’s vision of a more financially sustainable and streamlined monarchy.
Prince Andrew’s attachment to the Royal Lodge is deep-rooted.
Over the years, he has spent nearly £7 million on renovations and repairs, indicating his long-term intentions to remain at the mansion. The property, with its historical significance and considerable amenities, has been a cherished residence for him.
Prince William and Princess Catherine were once considered for relocating to Royal Lodge but ultimately chose to reside at Adelaide Cottage, showing the preference within the royal family for smaller, more manageable estates in recent times.
The dismissal of the security team not only underscores the strained relationship between King Charles and Prince Andrew but also marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing saga of the Duke of York’s residency.
As the Autumn deadline approaches, the royal family and the public alike are keen to see how this situation unfolds.
While the future of Royal Lodge remains uncertain, what is clear is that the decision to cut off private security services to Prince Andrew is not just about cost-saving but is deeply intertwined with efforts to redefine the spatial dynamics of the British monarchy.
