King Charles III is facing renewed challenges over his younger brother Prince Andrew’s living arrangements. Royal insiders claim Queen Elizabeth II’s enduring affection for her “blind spot” left the monarch in a difficult position. They have long described Andrew as the Queen’s “favorite child.”
King Charles’ paying the price’ for late mother’s soft spot for Prince Andrew, says expert
Per royal commentator Roya Nikkhah, King Charles is now “paying the price” for the late Queen’s refusal to take firmer action against Prince Andrew during her reign. Despite ongoing calls for the Duke of York to vacate Royal Lodge – his sprawling Grade II-listed Windsor residence – the disgraced royal remains legally protected by what experts call a “cast-iron” lease with the Crown Estate.
Writing for The Sunday Times, Nikkhah stated, “He (Andrew) remained her weak spot, and Charles is now paying the price.” She wrote, “The King, with the support of the Prince of Wales, leant heavily on Andrew last week to voluntarily relinquish his titles and honours.”
Nikkhah further added, “But the Duke of Hazard has still not 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.”
Legal experts say that evicting Prince Andrew from Royal Lodge would not be simple. Under the terms of his 2003 lease agreement, he paid a substantial sum up front. Additionally, invested heavily in refurbishing the property. Real estate specialist Elliot Castle, CEO of We Buy Any Home, explained, “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.”
Castle added that the lease, reportedly granted for 75 years, includes a peppercorn rent clause, meaning Andrew effectively purchased long-term occupancy rights despite not owning the freehold.
Originally reported by Khushali Srivastava on Reality Tea.
