King Charles allegedly sent a stern four-worded message to his brother, Prince Andrew, regarding his living situation at Royal Lodge by making a key move, according to a royal commentator.
The monarch is reportedly locked in a dispute with the Duke of York over his stay at the 30-room property in Windsor, thought to be worth £30million.
Andrew’s previously reported struggle with the upkeep of the mansion in Windsor, where he has been living since being granted a 75-year lease agreement in 2003 by the Crown Estate, has caused quite a headache for the monarch, who allegedly wants him to move to a smaller home.
Charles axed Andrew’s private security and £1million allowance last October, however the duke managed to secure funds to support himself.
The Times understands that Andrew’s money has been approved by Sir Michael Stevens, the keeper of the private purse, as coming from “legitimate sources”.
But according to the Sun’s royal editor, Matt Wilkinson, the King’s decision to withdraw Andrew’s funding essentially aimed to put pressure on the duke and send him a clear message.
Speaking on Channel 5’s Prince Andrew: Where Did All the Money Go?, Wilkinson claimed, as per the Scottish Daily Express: “Charles knows it’s a bad look for lots of money to be spent on Andrew.
“He doesn’t like Andrew being seen out looking happy, driving about, waving at people, having an excellent life.”
The commentator added that by cutting Andrew’s allowance, he wanted to warn him to “go fund it himself”.
Mr Wilksinson said: “So by removing the funding that he gives him, the annual stipend that he would receive, and the money that he would pay for the security, that puts more pressure on Andrew.
“So Charles has said ‘okay, go fund it yourself’.”
Buckingham Palace did not say where Andrew’s funding has come from. The duke’s only official income is a Royal Navy Pension, which amounts to about £20,000 a year.
The Palace did not comment on the backlash Andrew’s new funding received.
