Prince Andrew is determined tohold onto Royal Lodge, an insider has claimed.
The source explained that Prince Andrew, 63, was handed the keys to Frogmore Cottage byKing Charles two months ago but is allowing his daughterPrincess Eugenie to stay there when she visits the family.
King Charles has embarked on a shake-up of royal households in recent months, it has been reported, with the Duke of York set tobe moved from Royal Lodge – the 30-room, Grade II listed mansion, in Windsor Great Park, where he has lived since 2003.
As part of the shake-up,Prince Harry andMeghan Markle wereevicted from Frogmore Cottage – the UK home they were gifted by the lateQueen following their marriage in 2018.
The source told us: “Andrew is adamant that he is staying at Royal Lodge for the remainder of his lease.
“He will not move into Frogmore without a fight. Royal Lodge is his home and he will do everything in his power to remain in the property.”
“Prince Andrew was given the keys to Frogmore quite recently and was expected to move in this summer.
“Eugenie is currently staying there to help move out Harry and Meghan’s things while her dad tries to hold on to Royal Lodge. The handover date was expected in July or August but he’s not going anywhere.”
The insider went on to say that Harry, 38, and Meghan, 41, had been “blindsided” by being asked to leave Frogmore Cottage – especially after they had paid “several million pounds” to have it renovated.
“They have been kept very much in the dark as to why they were evicted,” the source added.
“Prince Harry and Meghan’s eviction seems a bit pointless really because there will now be an empty property on the Windsor estate which seems counterintuitive to the King’s new plans for cutting costs.”
OK! has approached the Palace and the Sussexes for comment.
Frogmore was recently renovated at a cost of £2.4 million, which wascovered by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex out of their own pocket, but it seemsunlikely that they will recoup the money.
It has been said that the King, 74, is carrying out the shake-up of households as part of plans to modernise the monarchy that will seemore royals funding and fending for themselves.
It comes amid thecontinuing fallout from Harry’s book Spare and with Andrew banned from royal duties over hisconnections to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
READ NEXT:
Click here for today's top showbiz news
Prince Archie tipped for 'big moment' at King Charles' coronation if Sussex duo attend
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have 'no option' but to attend the King's Coronation
Defamation case against Duchess of Sussex by her half-sister dismissed by judge
For the latest royal news, sign up for OK!'s royal newsletter here
Source: Read Full Article