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He has a reputation for being stubborn and Prince Andrew is certainly doing nothing to dispel it.
The Duke of York is reportedly digging in his heels and refusing to leave Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park – which is scheduled for building work – as he’s worried he will be permanently evicted by King Charles.
The new king last year announced his intentions to repurpose the £30 million (R702 million) mansion in line with his plans to scale down the monarchy.
Andrew, however, has made it clear he refuses to move out of the 30-room home he shares with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, leading to a stand-off between the siblings.
“It’s become farcical,” sources say.
“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 as he fears he might never get back in.”
READ MORE | Out in the cold! All about Prince Andrew’s brutal exile from The Firm
Ironically, it's Andrew himself who is paying for the repairs to the roof.
He moved into the house – which once belonged to his late grandmother, the Queen Mother – in 2003 after signing a 75-year lease on the provision he pays £250 (R5800) a week to live there.
Over the years he has spent millions of his own money renovating the lodge to his liking and he's indicated he will not leave without a fight.
When he was hit with allegations of sexual abuse in 2019, linked to his friendship with the late paedophile, Jeffrey Epstein, Andrew was forced to step down as a working royal and no longer received public funds.
His only income since then has been an allowance given to him by his late mother and his navy pension.
In February this year it emerged Charles would be slashing Andrew’s annual allowance of £250 000 (R5.8 million) as part of his plan to reduce royal costs.
But despite his fall from grace, Andrew is said to be desperate to make a public comeback.
An expert notes he could find a way back into Charles’ good graces via his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
READ MORE | Prince Andrew and his daughters write heartfelt tributes to queen: ‘We all miss you terribly’
“For the time being, Andrew’s best hope of having his image restored is through his children,” PR expert Edward Coram-James says.
“Were they to be brought into the fold, they would be wise not to initially make any comments about their father. They would need to further cement their trust and reputation with the British public."
He says Andrew's daughters have managed to keep their royal slates clean.
“Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice have managed to pull an absolute blinder. They have evaded every scandal that the royals have been plunged into over the past three years.”
Sources: DAILYMAIL.CO.UK, GEOTV
