Prince Andrew outplays King Charles in awkward eviction saga

The disgraced Prince Andrew has made a mockery of his brother’s authority, in a stunning twist amid their ongoing eviction showdown.

Prince Andrew appears to have made a mockery of King Charles’ authority in a stunning development in their ongoing housing stand-off.

It was widely reported months ago that the disgraced duke was told by his brother he needed to leave his grace-and-favour home, the sprawling 30-room Royal Lodge near Windsor Castle – but has so far resisted the instruction.

Andrew – who was forced out of royal duties after settling a sex abuse case with Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre – has now hired builders to do some much-needed repairs on the property, and is refusing to hand over the keys while they are undertaken.

The Duke of York is said to be concerned that if he leaves, he “might never get back in”, reports the Daily Mail.

“Andrew has roof repairs scheduled later this summer which will take several months to complete and has been advised that staying in the house during those renovations could prove problematic. But he is reluctant to leave,” a source told the publication, adding that the situation had become ridiculous.

“It’s become farcical,” the source said.

Another source told Page Six that Andrew has “got one over his brother” – but added “we will see how long it lasts.”

The Lodge has been Andrew’s official residence since 2004, and he currently lives there with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, under a 75-year lease.

For many years, that was made possible by an annual subsidy of around $500,000, paid to Andrew out of his late mother’s private estate – a system which ended in April under Charles’ rule.

Prince Andrew’s residence, the Royal Lodge. Picture: GoffPhotos.com/Australscope

It has been reported that Charles then offered him the five-bedroom Frogmore Cottage – Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s former UK home – as an alternative.

It’s understood that in the game of royal real estate musical chairs, Prince William has been promised an upgrade from his four-bedroom house on the estate to the Royal Lodge when Andrew finally leaves.

But that day doesn’t appear to be arriving anytime soon.

“Work started on the Royal Lodge this month and will extend to the end of the summer,” the source told Page Six.

“Andrew was advised that he should move out while work was undertaken because the house is virtually a building site but he’s refused because he’s so terrified that the property might be seized in his absence.”

According to reports, Andrew initially claimed earlier this year that he was being forced out as he couldn’t afford to do the maintenance work on the vast property, which – in addition to its numerous rooms – comes with a swimming pool and tennis court.

Andrew is so far resisting calls to leave his longtime home. Picture: Toby Melville – WPA Pool/Getty Images

“Andrew and Sarah are distraught they have been given such short notice,” a source told The Sun in March.

“He’s not being explicitly kicked out, but it’s expected that he won’t be able to afford the maintenance.”

It’s understood the King was going to use that as the excuse to evict him out in favour of someone who could pay for its upkeep – but thanks to Andrew’s latest move, that no longer holds up.

Page Six reports that Andrew is using money left to him by his late mother to pay for the work on the house.

“He’s been quite open about where the money has come from because he doesn’t want people to think he’s come up with it through other means,” adds the source.

The ongoing saga is causing embarrassment for the King. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

According to the Daily Mail, Andrew has already poured up to $13 million of his own money into the Lodge over the years – adding to his reluctance to give it up.

“In the meantime, Harry and Meghan vacated Frogmore after being told they needed to leave to make way for Andrew but he is refusing to go there, even though he was given the keys,” the source said, adding that Andrew is instead allowing his daughter Eugenie to stay there with her husband, Jack Brooksbank, and their two young children.

“She’s just given birth to her second child so while she recovers and gets back on her feet, she’s staying in Frogmore to be near her mum and dad.”