King set to escalate plan to get Prince Andrew out of Royal Lodge as sacking security 'just the first step'
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The Duke of York is refusing to leave Royal Lodge and plans to pass his lease over to his daughters after his death
King Charles is set to escalate his plan to pile further pressure on Prince Andrew amid their bitter feud over Royal Lodge, a source has claimed.
The Duke of York is under pressure in his battle to keep the Royal Lodge after King Charles fired the ten-man private security team based at the Windsor property.
The King has requested that Andrew move out of the royal residence and into a smaller property with Frogmore Cottage seen as the most likely option.
However, Andrew is refusing to budge and is under no obligation to vacate the Royal Lodge with over five decades remaining on the lease he signed in 2003.
A friend of the monarch claimed that Charles is prepared to escalate the feud further by cutting all support to Andrew.
The source told the Daily Beast: "It’s been compared to a siege and that is accurate in one respect because Charles will starve Andrew out.
"Security is just a first step. He will cut all financial support if he has to.
"It’s Andrew’s choice how this goes. Charles is the king, and if he wants Andrew gone, Andrew will be gone in the end."
A friend of the monarch claimed that Charles is prepared to escalate the feud further by cutting all support to Andrew.
GETTYKing Charles has been funding private security guards that cost £3million a year since Andrew lost his armed police protection.
The monarch has now told the security team based at Royal Lodge that they will no longer be needed from the autumn, according to an insider.
An insider said regarding the security team: "They are all working the final weeks of their contract till the end of October. It’s not thought anyone is being lined up to replace them.
"It isn’t a secret that the King wants him out."
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Prince Andrew signed a 75-year lease agreement with the Crown Estate for the Royal Lodge in 2003.
GettyPrince Andrew signed a 75-year lease agreement with the Crown Estate for the Royal Lodge in 2003.
Andrew is refusing to leave Royal Lodge and plans to pass his lease over to his daughters after his death.
The lease has 54 years remaining on it and Andrew plans to honour the terms of the agreement.
A former courtier said: "The whole thing is a mess and arguing about it publicly is not helping the King.
"Ultimately, Andrew will have to be given something to surrender the lease."