Prince Andrew secures small win amid crunch talks with King Charles

Andrew, 64, stepped down as a working royal in 2019, but continues to live in the 30-room Royal Lodge, which requires significant upkeep and security detail.

The King, 75, is understood to be keen for Andrew to move into Frogmore Cottage, a smaller home on the same estate which would be less of a burden on the taxpayer.

However, Buckingham Palace has announced that Frogmore Cottage, the former home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, is undergoing major renovations over the next 12 months.

Royal fans can now apply for a Curtain Maker and Soft Furnishings Upholsterer position at the cottage, that has been advertised by Buckingham Palace.

The year-long contract, which pays £28,000 annually, will see the perfect applicant ''undertake the production of varied soft furnishing and window dressing schemes, considering latest industry methods, quality standards, design and the timescales needed to ensure beautiful results every time''.

The person will also be ''involved in all aspects of a project, from design schemes and researching historic styles, to sourcing suitable materials and specific construction methods''.

The fixed-term contract, which lasts 12 months, is set to begin in November, meaning that Prince Andrew is unlikely to move into the Sussexes' former home for at least another year.

Although, Palace sources revealed the cost of the overhaul of Frogmore Cottage will not be revealed as it is “part of a five-year repainting and repair programme”, meaning Andrew may have to wait even longer.

The Duke of York is understood to be keen to remain in Royal Lodge, where he has lived since 2003, to leave as an inheritance for his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

He moved into the property the year after its former occupant, the Queen Mother, died.

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Sarah Ferguson, Andrew's ex-wife, cohabitates with the duke at Royal Lodge and occasionally accompanies him to royal events.

The father-of-two has spent a large chunk of the past five years at the property as he stepped back from public life.

Andrew stepped down from royal duties after his car-crash Newsnight interview in 2019, where he discussed his friendship with the late convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.