Reports arre swirling that the late Queen had plans to evict Meghan Markle and Prince Harry from Frogmore Cottage and relocate Prince Andrew there.
The Duke of York, 64, has been labelled a “bully” in a new book by Royal author Robert Hardman, who alleges that Queen Elizabeth II intended to provide Andrew with a new residence away from the Royal Lodge – a grand 30-room mansion situated in Windsor Great Park.
This would have necessitated the removal of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex from Frogmore Cottage.
Quoting an insider, Hardman states: “‘Had she lived another year, he would have been out,’ says a former adviser to Elizabeth II firmly. “It was her plan to move him out, to end the lease for the Sussexes at Frogmore Cottage and to move Andrew in there. It was mainly a money thing, as she could see it was becoming unsustainable.”
Hardman also suggests the late Queen’s staff were “more than happy to make it happen”.
When his quarters were taken over in Buckingham Palace, one staff member remembered: “No one felt guilty about taking over his office because he and his people had become bullies by the end.”
This comes after reports that the King is severing financial connections with the disgraced Duke of York.
Andrew’s yearly £1 million “living allowance” has been withdrawn by Charles. This action is viewed as another measure the King has taken to publicly distance himself from his younger brother following his links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Hardman has alleged that the keeper of the privy purse was “instructed to sever his living allowance” following Prince Andrew’s reported refusal to vacate the Royal Lodge in favour of the more modest Frogmore Cottage.
It is understood that the Duke has a 75-year lease for Royal Lodge.
Penning his thoughts, Hardman reveals: “The duke is no longer a financial burden on the King, confirms one familiar with the situation.
“He claims to have found other sources of income related to his contacts in international trade, sufficient to cover all his costs – which would be a welcome outcome for all parties if that turns out to be the case.
“But as to whether this funding can be relied upon in the long term is another matter.
