King Charles risks dividing the Royal Family by 'kicking out Prince Andrew'
The duke is reportedly under pressure from Buckingham Palace to move to Frogmore Cottage
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Prince Andrew has no intention of leaving his home at Royal Lodge and believes that the King has no power to kick him out, a close associate of the duke claims.
The duke is reportedly under pressure from Buckingham Palace to move to Frogmore Cottage, which is smaller residence.
Andrew believed he was secure in the property because his name is on the lease with the Crown Estate and not the royal family’s, according to the associate who is in regular contact with the duke.
“The lease is in the duke’s name so no one can take that away from him,” the source told The Times.
Prince Andrew has no intention of leaving his home at Royal Lodge and believes that the King has no power to kick him out
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“It has never been suggested that it could be taken away from him.”
It is thought that Andrew still has 55 years left of his 75-year lease.
The source added: “This is a lease between him and the Crown Estate. That’s not a matter for the King.
"It’s a matter for the chancellor of the exchequer. The only way you could get him to move out would be through an arrangement — he would have to agree.”
The Crown Estate board is appointed by the King on the recommendation of the prime minister from candidates checked by a selection board that includes the Treasury.
Andrew’s associate said that there was “no foundation” to reports this week that the duke could be pressured into leaving by actions such as cutting off his electricity supply.
The source added that the King was unlikely to pressure Andrew because it would not make him a “very popular person within the family”.
“There are other members of the family who would not want to see a member kicked out," they said.
Prince Andrew reportedly has no intention of moving into Frogmore Cottage
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Tom Bower, who has written biographies about the King and Prince Harry, said that Andrew’s name on the lease would not provide 100 per cent protection.
“What the King is saying is he won’t pay for the maintenance,” Bower said.
“All crown leases have termination clauses, for example if you’re not paying for upkeep in a way they think desirable. So I would think the lease won’t protect him forever. They can always say the paintwork isn’t good enough. That’s how he can be winkled out.”
He added: “I think the King is right. He’s got to slim down the number of houses in the royal portfolio and Andrew has got to come to terms with his fate. He can no longer live like a duke. Frogmore will be a cold shower for him, but he’s just got to take it.”