Prince Andrew is under increasing pressure to disclose the identity of the mystery financier who has enabled him to avoid eviction from the Royal Lodge. The disgraced Duke of York, aged 64, was set to vacate the expansive property on the grounds of Windsor Castle after King Charles decided not to continue supporting his brother financially. However, on Friday, it was revealed that Andrew had secured a financial backer at the last moment, allowing him to stay at the royal residence.
Andrew has steadfastly refused to reveal the source of his new funding, despite persistent demands from the UK government, politicians, and royal commentators. Several Labour Party members have called for the disgraced duke to divulge the identity of his new financial supporters. 'Full disclosure of these funding arrangements is crucial to maintain the reputation of the Royal Family,' said Alex Sobel, a member of Parliament, in an interview with the Daily Mail. Meanwhile, MP Rachael Maskell also expressed concerns, stating, 'When the funding for the Royal Family is set to increase by £45 million next year to a staggering £132 million, serious questions arise as to why the monarch's brother continues to reside at his mansion.' 'There must be greater transparency on the source of the money that has allowed Andrew to stay at Royal Lodge,' she added.
Andrew has lived at the sprawling property since 2004 and currently resides there with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson. The exact source of the Duke of York's funding to remain at the property remains unclear, with his only known steady income being a Royal Navy Pension. Reports suggest that Michael Stevens, the Keeper of the Privy Purse, approved Andrew's financing, sparking widespread speculation about the origin of the funds. The Post has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.
Since being linked to the disgraced late financier Jeffrey Epstein, Andrew has been living off a substantial allowance from the king's personal wealth since 2019. His extensive list of expenses includes $4 million worth of personal security per year, along with a regular cash allowance, both of which King Charles announced last month he would no longer cover. After cutting off his brother's financial lifeline, Andrew was instructed to move out of the 31-room property into the smaller Frogmore Cottage, but he refused. The disgraced royal has been ignoring his brother's repeated requests to downsize for over a year. Instead, Andrew reportedly hopes to remain at the residence and leave it to Princess Beatrice and her sister, Princess Eugenie, as an inheritance.
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