PRINCE Andrew’s reported refusal to leave his £30million estate has seen him become a prisoner of his own pride, a friend of King Charles has claimed.

The Duke of York struck a deal to stay at his Royal Lodge home following a reported row with the King and William last year.

Prince Andrew has become a 'prisoner of his own pride' according to a friend of the King
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Prince Andrew has become a ‘prisoner of his own pride’ according to a friend of the KingCredit: Getty

The Duke of York's Royal Lodge where he has lived since 2002
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The Duke of York’s Royal Lodge where he has lived since 2002Credit: The Mega Agency
But it has now emerged that the monarch is not willing to continue to fund Andrew’s lifestyle at the house in Windsor Great Park.

However, the disgraced Duke, 64, is refusing to leave his vast home, according to The Times.

The outlet reports that Andrew cuts an increasingly tragic figure, who “spends his days watching television in a darkened room”.

And a pal of King Charles has now claimed that life at the Royal Lodge will become “increasingly cold and uncomfortable” for Andrew if he refuses to hand back the keys.

The friend told The Times: “It can be done tidily or untidily. It can be done with grace and dignity or it can be forced upon him. It’s all rather sad.

“But as things stand, life at Royal Lodge is set to become increasingly cold and uncomfortable for the duke.

“The only question now is when he will realise that he has become a prisoner of his own pride — and that handing back the keys will afford him far greater comfort, and the continued support of his family.”

Andrew, who no longer has official duties, shares the sprawling 30-room mansion in Windsor with just his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.

The disgraced royal has lived in the Lodge for 20 years and signed a 75-year lease on it only paying £250-a-week.

He is said to be “making a point of the matter” despite no chance of returning to royal duties.

I know why ’embarrassment’ Prince Andrew will never be stripped of his titles by King Charles
A source told the newspaper: “The King’s kindness is not without limit and there is a very good option for Andrew to move into Frogmore Cottage, recently vacated by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, 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.

“He is taking longer than desirable to recognise the reality of the situation, even though it is clearly the most sensible course of action.

“If he doesn’t agree to move to a property better suited to his needs, then the King may have to reconsider the levels of support he is willing to provide.”

Last year, Andrew and the King clashed when Charles was said to have wanted to kick his brother out of his home with courtiers saying Prince William and his family would eventually move into the vast property.

A source told the Mirror that Andrew had a clear responsibility for repairs after cutting the deal with his brother.

They said: “Prince Andrew was told he must take charge of the necessary renovations or he will have no cause to stay in the house.”

The source said the King was greatly concerned about the state of the home.

“There is no doubt the King will be alarmed at the true state of the residence after the duke assured him everything was in hand.”

Andrew can’t have been cheered by the latest opinion poll, which revealed him to be the least popular member of the royal family by far.

A YouGov survey showed that he was popular with only 9 per cent of people, while 76 per cent said they disliked him.

But in January, sources told the Daily Mail: “Andrew is going nowhere. He has a cast iron lease.”

Charles has previously claimed Andrew should move to nearby Frogmore Cottage — Prince Harry and Meghan’s former home.

The monarch’s wish for Andrew to downsize came as he reportedly cut his £250,000 annual allowance that he had been previously provided with by the late Queen Elizabeth.

Royal Lodge is said to require repair works costing around £2 million and without his allowance, Andrew reportedly is unable to afford the upkeep of the 98 acre estate.

But the brothers came to an agreement last summer allowing Andrew to stay at the home.

Andrew was forced to step down from royal duties in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

He paid a reported £12m settlement to Virginia Guiffre, who accused him of sleeping with her while a teenager — which he denied.

In November 2019, Andrew stepped down from royal duties.

 

He resigned from his public roles the following May.

Andrew’s honorary military affiliations and royal charitable patronages were removed by his mother in 2022.

King Charles has reportedly threatened to sever ties completely with Prince Andrew
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King Charles has reportedly threatened to sever ties completely with Prince AndrewCredit: Getty