In days of old, a king might have banished rebellious relatives — or even chopped off their heads.
But it’s 2023, and King Charles III has simply been left “tired and furious” by the continuing disobedience of his family, sources told Page Six.
What should be a time of reflection and joy for Charles as he prepares for his May 6 coronation alongside his queen, Camilla, is being marred by the behavior of not just one but two “spares.”
While Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are still negotiating their attendance on the big day (despite the RSVP date of April 2 having already passed), Charles, 74, and his younger brother Prince Andrew are fighting over real estate.
Andrew — who was forced out of royal duties after settling a sex-abuse case with Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre in 2022 — was second in line to the throne until Princess Diana gave birth to Charles’ elder son, Prince William.
Now, the onetime “spare” is refusing to bow to demands to move out of his palatial $37 million home, Royal Lodge in Windsor, despite the demands of the new monarch.
In an effort to convince him to move, Andrew has even been given the keys to Frogmore Cottage — the five-bedroom house from which the King recently evicted Harry and Meghan.
But so far, Andrew, 63, is standing firm and refusing to leave the much grander home he has lived in since 2003.
Source
“Andrew doesn’t want to leave because the property is seen as a symbol of senior royalty — an important property in the family’s portfolio.”
Source
“But William, who is the heir to the throne, has his eye on it.”
William, Kate and their children, George, Charlotte and Louis, only moved to Adelaide Cottage, near Andrew’s Royal Lodge, less than a year ago.
But with just four bedrooms, it is already said to feel too small, particularly as William needs more office space to go with his growing role.
Joshua RomRoyal commentator
“The cottage they live in once belonged to people who worked for the royals — such as Group Captain Peter Townsend, who had a romance with Princess Margaret and who described it as an ‘ice box’ — and is very cramped.”
Joshua RomRoyal commentator
“It makes a lot more sense for William to have this house to reflect his new role particularly as Andrew is no longer a ‘working royal’ and therefore doesn’t need an office or to entertain dignitaries.”
Insiders say all the wrangling has “infuriated” the king at a time when he needs to focus on the coronation.
Source
“Relations between the king and his brother have never been this bad.”
Andrew signed a 75-year lease on the Lodge following the death of his grandmother, the Queen Mother, who lived there before him and spent several millions doing it up.
But in some ways, Charles was given reason to evict him recently when there were press reports of Andrew complaining to friends that Queen Elizabeth had left all her money to Charles for tax purposes — meaning he couldn’t afford the money to renovate Royal Lodge, which has roof and mold problems.
If Andrew can’t afford to maintain the property, the king, as its owner, has an excuse to throw him out.
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