Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson are reportedly in danger of being evicted from Royal Lodge by King Charles as the monarch continues to pressure the Yorks to downsize.
The 30-room estate in Windsor Great Park is one of the most luxurious properties owned by the Crown and was previously home to the Queen Mother.
Andrew has lived in the home since 2004 under a 75-year lease from the Crown Estate and shares the massive property with his ex-wife.
While sources close to the King said he is willing to pay for his brother and sister-in-law to live comfortably, the level of funding needs to be appropriate and he wants the Yorks to move to a smaller property.
“Unfortunately, if Andrew refuses to leave within a reasonable time frame, then the King may be forced to reassess the whole package of support he provides and the duke would be required to fund the lion’s share of his security, accommodation and lifestyle costs all on his own – which, given the sums involved, is highly unlikely to be possible in the long term,” a friend of the King told The Times newspaper on Friday.
“Everyone is mindful of his well-being, and has his best interests at heart, but there are limits of patience and tolerance.”
Andrew, 64, has already been granted one “stay of execution” last year after agreeing to a deal with the King to carry out urgent repair works on the 19th century, Grade II-listed property.
The update comes after shocking new photos revealed the growing dilapidation of the grand home following reports the Yorks could no longer afford the home since Andrew was stripped of his royal duties.
Photos of the royal home released by the Daily Mail last month revealed large chunks of white exterior paint that have cracked or completely peeled off walls.
Other wings of the grand mansion, which dates back to the 19th century, look grey in appearance because the ageing white colour scheme has been neglected.
The King has reportedly offered his disgraced brother a number of alternative royal properties to live in, possibly to make way for the Prince and Princess of Wales to take over Royal Lodge.
According to the BBC, Andrew and Fergie were reportedly offered use of the far less grand Frogmore Cottage – Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s old home – which is located nearby on the Windsor Estate.
Despite the King’s tough stance regarding Royal Lodge, the King already provides free homes for his nieces Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie in recognition of their limited royal duties.
The King provides Ivy Cottage at Kensington Palace as a grace-and-favour home for Andrew and Fergie’s younger daughter Eugenie to live in as a London base with her husband and son.
Charles also provides a four-bedroom apartment for his other niece Beatrice inside St James’ Palace entirely rent-free.