Andrew’s rivalry with Charles mounts as Duke too ‘stubborn’ to leave Royal Lodge

Prince Andrew is unlikely to ever leave Royal Lodge, according to a royal expert, who believes he’s “weathered worse storms”, in spite of reports that King Charles has been trying to boot him out. Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson have lived at the property for many years, even though the Duke is no longer a working member of the Royal Family . Earlier this year it was speculated that the pair would move into the more modest Frogmore Cottage , just five miles away, as a reduction in Andrew’s annual grant raised questions as to how he would afford the upkeep at Royal Lodge. However royal biographer Andrew Lownie told Express.co.uk that the move does not seem to be happening, as his “rivalry” with Charles goes back further than the property issue. He said: “I can’t see them moving. Andrew is stubborn, obsessed with status, has a contract with Crown Estate and sufficient money to support upkeep. Get the latest royal news straight to your phone by joining our Whatsapp community! Andrew and Charles disagree about the Duke staying at Royal Lodge (Image: Getty) “He’s weathered worst storms. I fear part of a longer narrative and rivalry with King Charles going back to childhood and involving appearances on balconies, protection and roles for his daughters.” In their childhood Andrew acted as the ‘spare’ to Charles’s ‘heir’, a dynamic that has also haunted the younger generation, contributing to the breakdown of the relationship between Princes William and Harry. As they are further down the line of succession Andrew’s daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are not working members of the Firm, meaning they are not entitled to state-funded security and have to financially support themselves. Prince Andrew is no longer a working member of the Royal Family (Image: Getty) Any potential move from Royal Lodge has been postponed as a result of Fergie’s recovery from an eight-hour mastectomy , after she was diagnosed with breast cancer during a routine mammogram. The question of Andrew’s lease also complicates the situation, as in spite of the reduction in his grant he signed a contract for 75 years which he intends to honour, according to the Telegraph . As part of his living arrangement Andrew agreed that he would cover the cost of renovations on Royal Lodge, which have stretched to £7.5million. Andrew and Fergie with their daughters Beatrice and Eugenie (Image: Getty) If his lease is terminated before it is due to expire, the property would revert to the Crown Estate and Andrew would be entitled to compensation of just under £7million for the refurbishment costs he has already covered. It has been said that Royal Lodge was “earmarked” for the Prince and Princess of Wales and their young family, who are currently based at Adelaide Cottage close to Windsor Castle. However William and Kate have only been living at the cottage less than a year, with OK! reporting that the couple had confirmed their intention to stay put.