King Charles is facing a very "difficult situation" as his younger brother refuses to move out of Royal Lodge despite being asked to downsize, according to GB News' Digital Royal Editor.
The Duke of York Prince currently lives in the £30million home but the King wants his brother to move into the much smaller Frogmore Cottage, which requires less expensive upkeep and was previously the UK base for Harry and Meghan.
With His Majesty controlling the purse strings for Royal household finances, there's speculation he may cut back on funding, potentially leaving Prince Andrew in a bind to cover the high costs of the property's security and maintenance.
Prince Andrew ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, appeared on Good Morning Britain and tactfully confirmed the brothers' conflict.
Sarah Ferguson said she is "staying out of it"
ReutersShe told the programme: "It's not a Debbie Downer. It's life in the fast lane. 'I'm a guest for a start, I am a very lucky guest. And a very comfortable guest, thank you very much.
"I tend not to get involved in brothers' discussions and I think that's the safest place to be."
LATEST ROYAL UPDATES:
Cameron and Svar discussed the drama on this week
Speaking about her comments on this week's episode of The Royal Record podcast GB News Digital Royal Editor Svar Nanan-Sen said: "The situation is complicated by the fact Prince Andrew has a 75 year lease agreement for the Royal Lodge, which he signed in 2003."
Royal Correspondent Cameron Walker added: "That lease agreement is with the Crown Estate is not with King Charles, which leaves King Charles with a bit of a difficult situation because he can't evict his brother because it's the Crown Estate. It's not him."
Svar agreed, stating: "Yes. And the agreement is valid until 2078, so there's a long way to go on it. Sarah Ferguson appeared on ITV this week and actually confirmed that the feud is ongoing. She described it as life in the fast lane."
It comes after The Times alleged that the King is renewing his efforts to evict Andrew from Royal Lodge, threatening him with being cut off financially if he did not comply.
Andrew is refusing to move out the property
GETTY
The article claimed the King would "reconsider the levels of support he is willing to provide" unless Andrew moved out.
It also alleged that King Charles is supporting the duke in the "low millions" of pounds per annum.
A source told the publication: "The King’s kindness is not without limit, and there is a very good option for Andrew to move into Frogmore Cottage… 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."
Speaking about the brother's feud to the Daily Beast, a source close to Fergie said: "Sarah has never sought to rock the boat.
King Charles is facing a difficult situation
GETTY
"She has said very publicly that she is grateful to have been brought back into the family by the late Queen and she is of course very grateful that has carried on under Charles.That’s a different thing to selling out her family,” the friend said, “She is fiercely loyal to Andrew.”
Friends of the Duke of York have also spoken out in support of him, with one telling the outlet: "Andrew does not have a huge amount in his life any more, the house is one of the few things keeping him going.
"The idea that he is going to throw that away along with his children’s inheritance is just absurd.
“The place is perfectly well maintained and the notion that Andrew is in dire financial straits is not remotely accurate.
