Prince Andrew has been the subject of much speculation in recent days as calls grow for him to leave his Royal Lodge home with the disgraced royal reportedly in talks with King Charles
Robin Cottle Assistant Editor Trendswatch
15:00, 26 Oct 2025
King Charles is ‘paying the price’ for the late Queen’s ‘weak spot'(Image: Getty Images)
King Charles is bearing the consequences of his brother Prince Andrew being the late Queen’s ‘weakness’, a royal correspondent has suggested.
Pressure is mounting for the scandal-hit royal to vacate the Grade II listed Royal Lodge, but according to royal expert Roya Nikkhah, the Andrew predicament has been brewing for years.
The Duke of York cannot be legally ejected from the residence due to his ‘watertight’ lease, though discussions continue between Charles’s officials to secure his departure from Royal Lodge.
Following his disastrous Newsnight interview in 2019, where he attempted to restore his reputation, Andrew was compelled to withdraw from Royal duties by Queen Elizabeth. This decision had backing from the then Prince Charles and Prince William.
In 2022, after Andrew reached a multi-million pound agreement with his accuser Virginia Giuffre, his mother compelled him to relinquish his HRH status, military honours and charitable roles, reports the Express.
Prince Andrew was reportedly the Queen’s favourite child (Image: Getty Images)
However, the late sovereign couldn’t find it within herself to strip her son, thought to be her preferred child, of his titles or convince him to find different lodgings.
According to Roya, this has intensified the challenge for the present monarch. Writing in the Sunday Times, she observed: “He (Andrew) remained her weak spot, and Charles is now paying the price.
“While the King, with support from the Prince of Wales, leant heavily on Andrew last week to voluntarily relinquish his titles and honours, the Duke of Hazard has still not fully bowed to pressure from the monarch. The King has made it clear for more than a year that he wants him out of Royal Lodge.”
The release of the late Ms Giuffre’s posthumous memoir has added further pressure on Andrew, who has consistently denied Ms Giuffre’s allegations.
King Charles is reportedly keen to get his brother Prince Andrew out of Royal Lodge(Image: Getty Images)
Andrew surrendered the Duke of York title and other honours last week following new allegations about his connections to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
This comes as a property expert shed some light on Prince Andrew’s future at Royal Lodge.
Due to what is referred to as a “cast iron” lease with the Crown Estate, Andrew cannot be easily evicted from the property.
If he agrees to terminate the lease early, he could reportedly receive compensation of around £557,595 upon termination, plus annual payments until 2028.
Pressure is mounting for Prince Andrew to move out of Royal Lodge(Image: Getty Images)
Elliot Castle, CEO of We Buy Any Home, clarified: “From a property law standpoint, Prince Andrew’s situation at the Royal Lodge appears to be governed by a long-term lease agreement rather than a traditional rental arrangement.
“If, as reported, the lease terms were set out in 2003 with a significant upfront payment and refurbishment investment, then he would retain security of tenure under those agreed conditions.
“The reference to a ‘peppercorn rent’ is symbolic – a common feature in long leases where the tenant has paid a large premium up front.
“In simple terms, it means the occupier has effectively bought long-term rights to the property, even though the freehold remains with the Crown Estate.”