Unexpected Prince William twist in ongoing royal drama

There’s been a very unexpected development in the ongoing – and rather awkward – housing drama engulfing the royal family.

New details have emerged as the ongoing issue of who should live where among the royal properties in Windsor continues to cause headaches for King Charles.

Before we get into the latest development, here’s a quick recap of the somewhat complex royal real estate mindmap.

For months, it’s been reported that the King is trying to convince his brother Prince Andrew to give up his longtime estate, the 30-room Royal Lodge, and downsize to a smaller home – but the disgraced duke is refusing to budge.

It was widely understood that the push was at least partially to allow for his heir, the Prince of Wales, and his family of five to move into the more spacious $56 million home. Meanwhile, Andrew would be offered Frogmore Cottage, which was recently vacated by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Andrew is reportedly refusing to move out of the Royal Lodge. Picture: Mark Kerrison/In Pictures via Getty

Prince William, Kate Middleton with George, 9, Charlotte, 8, and Louis, 5, had only moved from Kensington Palace to the four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage in Windsor last September.

Up to speed? OK, good.

A source has now told Page Six that William and Kate are “extremely happy” at their new home and don’t want to move, ruling them out as new tenants of the Royal Lodge (in what’s surely come as a relief to Andrew).

Not only are the couple keen to stay where they are, but moving them would actually prove a serious security nightmare for the King, sources added to the publication.

Royal Lodge – unlike Frogmore Cottage and Adelaide Cottage – sits outside the security perimeter covering Windsor Castle, which means it requires separate security, that Charles currently pays for himself.

However, should William, Kate and the kids become the occupants, that bill would instead be issued to taxpayers – an outcome the King is undoubtedly eager to avoid.

William, Kate and their three kids are ‘happy’ at Adelaide Cottage. Picture: Jonathan Brady – Pool/Getty Images

The latest update in the complicated royal housing drama comes after Andrew appeared to make a mockery of his brother’s authority just last week, with reports their standoff has become “farcical”.

Andrew – who was forced out of royal duties after settling a sex abuse case with Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre – recently hired builders to do some much-needed repairs on the property, and is now 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.

Frogmore Cottage in Windsor. Picture: Leon Neal/Getty Images

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.

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.

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 has reported that Andrew was using money left to him by his late mother to pay for the work on the house.