Unexpected reveal in ongoing Prince Andrew drama

Details of a very unexpected new move in the disgraced Duke of York’s ongoing clash with his brother have emerged.

Prince Andrew and King Charles’ next moves in their ongoing royal real estate war have been revealed – and both are quite unexpected.

Multiple reports emerged in recent days regarding the state of play as the King continues his months-long campaign to evict his disgraced younger brother from his palatial, 30-room mansion within royal grounds in Windsor.

The Duke of York’s living arrangements – namely, his residency at the Royal Lodge – has been under scrutiny since he was forced to step down from royal duties amid the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

Andrew and Charles are in a stand-off over housing. Picture: Peter Nicholls/Pool/AFP

The King’s attempts to persuade Andrew, 64, to downgrade reportedly intensified last month, amid claims the duke is refusing to move, despite being unable to meet the hefty estimated $760,00-a-year upkeep of the Royal Lodge.

He signed a 75-year lease in 2003, and currently lives there with Sarah Ferguson, whom he divorced in 1996. Under the terms of his contract, he is able to bequeath the lease to an “immediate family member” – and according to The Mirror, he is now considering passing it to his ex-wife or one of his two daughters, Princess Beatrice or Princess Eugenie.

It remains to be seen – but seems unlikely – that any of them would be keen to take on the financial burden, with the property reportedly in disrepair and in desperate need of renovation.

Andrew is so far refusing to budge. Picture: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Meanwhile, it’s understood the King does not trust that his brother can manage the ongoing costs of his home, as well as the estimated $3.8 million bill for urgent repairs.

“The issue with Royal Lodge is it is going to cost an awful lot of money to renovate and no one is any wiser as to how the Duke will be able to meet those expenses,” a source told The

Mirror.

“It’s very difficult to see why Beatrice or Eugenie would want the burden of taking on the lease when they would be far better investing any money they have where they would possibly get a return. That certainly wouldn’t happen with Royal Lodge so one may wonder what the point of Andrew staying there is other than vanity.”

Undated picture of The Royal Lodge.

According to The Sun, the King has already mapped out a plan for the Lodge, should Andrew finally leave.

The monarch wants to “generate commercial revenue” from the estate, and is reportedly considering cutting off the reported $7.5 million-a-year in funding he gives his brother to squeeze him out, the publication claims.

“It makes sense for Royal Lodge to be handed back to Crown Estates, which can pay for the much-needed repairs and renovations,” a royal source said.

“It could then be rented to earn money for them, the King’s coffers and the country rather than being a drain on everyone’s resources.”