Prince Andrew’s Financial Resurgence: A Fractured Brotherhood
King Charles is said to be extending a generous olive branch to his scandal-plagued sibling.
Charlotte Griffiths, the Mail on Sunday’s editor-at-large, claimed that the monarch is the secret source who paid Prince Andrew’s rent, allowing the disgraced Duke of York to stay at his palatial Royal Lodge home.
Financial Aid: A Royal Intervention
“She would’ve made a provision for him, and maybe that provision came through his elder brother as monarch,” she shared. “When the king dies or the queen dies, the money goes to the next monarch. Everything goes to the next monarch. So, she either would have made provisions for Andrew before she died, or she would’ve made provisions through Charles.”
“I believe that Charles is helping him,” Seward continued. “I don’t see who else would. I’m sure [Andrew’s ex-wife] Fergie would help him. I know Fergie does very well with her books, but I [can’t] imagine she would make enough to run Royal Lodge on her own.”
“… I certainly think that the only person who could really be doing this is from the late queen or the king,” she said. Griffiths claimed that, according to multiple sources, the king “has personally cleared his errant brother’s bills for his upkeep and promised his Royal Lodge woes would be taken care of, enabling him to stay there for the foreseeable future.”
The editor also claimed that someone at a “glamorous — and usually ultra-discreet — dinner table” told her that “Charles has paid for it all.”
“I believe that Charles is helping him. I don’t see who else would. I’m sure [Andrew’s ex-wife] Fergie would help him. I know Fergie does very well with her books, but I [can’t] imagine she would make enough to run Royal Lodge on her own.”
The Financial Strain of Royal Living
“The King has cleared it. It’s all done,” the source claimed. A palace insider, who had been a guest at Royal Lodge in years gone by, stated that not only did Charles handle the finances, but none of the funds came from taxpayer money.
The Sunday Times previously reported that Andrew, 64, had managed to raise enough money to reside in the Royal Lodge, an estate valued at approximately $38 million. According to the outlet, his finances were approved by the Keeper of the Privy Purse, affirming that they came from “legitimate sources.”
“The Duke of York, or Prince Andrew as we like to call him, has always inhabited luxurious spaces,” said Seward. “His naval career aside, he’s always lived in a palace—first Buckingham Palace, then the regal Royal Lodge. Leaving now is not on his agenda.”
Charles suggested, “Andrew, moving to Frogmore Cottage might be more beneficial.” That property, he explained, had been modernized and was more economical to maintain; security costs would be minimal given its location within the Windsor Castle compound. But steadfast, Andrew replied, “No, I want to stay here.”
Maintaining more than 30 rooms and over 50 acres of gardens comes with significant costs. “It’s not just a little house in the middle of nowhere,” Seward remarked. “It’s vast and demands regular upkeep. Charles wouldn’t have argued with Andrew; he’s not that sort of person.
Seward reflected on the conversations between the brothers: “He proposed why it would be easier for Andrew to move. Yet, Andrew opted to stay, leaving Charles to warn him about the costly security adjustments ahead. Regrettably, Andrew refused to budge even when the king sought to leverage alternative arrangements.”
A Royal’s Demands: The Price of Pride
The Sunday Times indicated that King Charles, at 76, might have financially supported Andrew had he agreed to move into Frogmore Cottage. However, after Andrew’s refusal to downsize, the king withdrew his financial backing.
Residing in Royal Lodge since 2004, Andrew shares the premises with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson. Reports indicate he has invested in excess of $9 million for repairs and renovations, with a $1 million upfront cost. His annual rent is approximately $337,000, while the property demands an estimated $503,000 in yearly maintenance.
Even though funding was supposedly secured through Andrew’s own sources, the king took the step of not renewing Andrew’s private security team’s contract. The monarch had previously covered the cost after Andrew lost his police protection in 2022, which amounted to almost $4 million annually.
“The Crown Estate would love to see Andrew vacate Royal Lodge, giving them rental opportunities,” Seward pointed out, pondering the economic implications of Andrew’s continued residence. “His status as the late queen’s second son complicates matters for them.”
Family Ties: A Fragile Web of Relationships
Despite the questionable circumstances surrounding his finances and the immense weight of his reputation, Seward remains skeptical about Andrew’s potentials. “He has to find a purpose. However, he hasn’t done much in the last five years,” she noted.
“If he were my child, I might suggest a scenic retreat in Scotland. There, he could embrace a simpler life and find fulfillment away from the spotlight. But Andrew appears resistant to this notion,” she observed.
Seward lamented the age-old adage, “hoist with your own petard,” relating to Andrew’s struggles. Nevertheless, he isn’t entirely isolated. His daughters, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, have been “taking turns” visiting. They bring their children along for weekend family time, offering him some semblance of support.
“He is close to his family, who seem to be protective of him,” a source mentioned. Concerned family and friends are increasingly worried about his well-being, noting that he appears isolated in his tumultuous journey.
“His redemption lies within his family,” the source continued. “Through his grandchildren, he has discovered renewed energy. He even took pleasure in teaching his granddaughter, Sienna, how to ride horses – a heartwarming family tradition that echoes back to the late queen.” This rekindling of joy is a precious silver lining amid the chaos of his recent years.
A final dimension to Charles and Andrew’s relationship reveals itself. Diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer, the king appears to have set aside past grievances. He even extended an invitation to Sandringham, signifying an attempt to heal familial wounds during the festive season.
“For now, Andrew has the resources needed to maintain his residence at Royal Lodge,” Chard noted. Yet the fog of uncertainty lingers. Each day brings new questions, pieces of a familiar but fragmented jigsaw, and renewed speculations about the future of a once-respected royal.
In 2019, Andrew took a step back from royal engagements following a tumultuous Newsnight interview, which sought to reconcile his connection with the late financier and convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. Stripped of his honorary military titles and facing a lawsuit filed by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, he staunchly denied any wrongdoing.
In a significant turn of events, a U.S. judge dismissed the lawsuit against him in 2022, leading to a settlement in which he contributed significantly to Giuffre’s charitable efforts. Yet, the lingering shadow of scandal remains—a constant reminder of the thin line he must tread in his pursuit of redemption and acceptance.
