King Charles has reportedly reached his limit with Prince Andrew's behavior, according to a royal expert. The monarch had some extra funds to allocate to his 76th birthday celebrations after officially severing his brother's financial support last month. The disgraced Duke of York, 64, was set to vacate the Royal Lodge, situated on the grounds of Windsor Castle, after Charles decided to stop financially supporting his brother. However, it was revealed last week that Andrew had secured a last-minute financial backer, enabling him to stay at the royal residence. This situation has left Charles frustrated, though he understands that his scandal-ridden brother is "fragile," according to royal photographer Helena Chard.
"Despite undergoing cancer treatment, he is managing a demanding work schedule," Chard told Fox News. "The Royal Lodge issue continues to persist, although King Charles has taken a firm stance and cut off his financial support." The father of two has lived at the expansive property since 2004, currently sharing it with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson.
"Prince Andrew is no longer a working royal and is seen as the idle, entitled, privileged duke in public opinion," Chard continued. "King Charles recognizes Andrew's fragility but also acknowledges that his brother has caused significant distress through poor judgments, disastrous interviews, and more." Chard added, "Prince Andrew can now maintain his lease and pay for his Windsor home as he has influential friends who are willing to provide the necessary funds."
Since securing an anonymous financial backer, Andrew has faced demands from the UK government to disclose the source of his new funding. The exact origin of the Duke of York's funding to stay at the property remains unclear, with his only known steady income being a Royal Navy pension. It has been reported that Michael Stevens, the Keeper of the Privy Purse, approved Andrew's financing, sparking widespread speculation about the money's source.
Morning Report provides the latest news, videos, photos, and more. Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Andrew, a royal outcast since his association with the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, has been living off a substantial allowance from the king's personal wealth since 2019. His extensive list of expenses includes $4 million annually for personal security and a regular cash allowance, both of which Charles announced last month he would no longer cover. Consequently, Andrew was instructed to move out of the 31-room property into the smaller Frogmore Cottage, but he refused. The property has remained vacant since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle relinquished the keys in 2023.
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