Prince William has allegedly held a “grudge” against Prince Andrew for years, stemming from the Duke of York’s less than warm reception of Kate Middleton when she was introduced to the Royal family. This could be a crucial factor in Andrew’s potential eviction from Royal Lodge, according to Royal expert Richard Kay.
Kay suggests that the animosity felt by the future king towards his uncle began with how Kate was treated upon her entry into the Royal fold. The Duke of York stepped back from public duties following a disastrous BBC Newsnight interview in 2020, but it’s important to note that the tension with Prince William predates this incident.
In early 2022, Buckingham Palace announced that Andrew had returned his military affiliations and Royal patronages to the Queen.
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Since then, he has remained largely out of the public eye, a move some attribute to the influence of Prince Charles and Prince William. There are whispers that William played a significant role in ousting Andrew from his office at Buckingham Palace and has been firm in his stance to exclude him from official Royal events.
Rumours are swirling that William may also be the driving force behind Charles considering evicting Andrew from Royal Lodge. Speaking to Mail Online, Royal journalist Richard Kay claimed that William has “long held a grudge” against Andrew and feels that Charles has been ‘too soft’ on him, reports the Express.
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The author wrote: “Differences between monarch and heir do remain, especially when it comes to the Prince Andrew scandal. William has long held a grudge against Andrew for being unwelcoming when he first introduced the then Kate Middleton to the Royal Family and feels that his father has been too soft on him. It has led to speculation that it is William who is pushing his father to evict the Duke of York from Royal Lodge, so the Waleses could move in.”
Reports suggest that King Charles is keen for Prince Andrew to swap his luxurious Royal Lodge for the more modest Frogmore Cottage, formerly the residence of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, causing a Royal stir. The proposed move is thought to be creating tension between the brothers, with Andrew not particularly thrilled about the idea of downsizing.
Royal writer and commentator Tom Quinn told The Mirror: “For King Charles, forcing Andrew to move to Frogmore solves several problems at once – it sends a message to Harry that, as a private citizen and no longer a working royal, he will never be allowed back to Frogmore.”
“It sends [a] message to Andrew that having disgraced himself, he can no longer expect to live in the grand style. And, finally, it means that a suitably grand residence can be made ready for the royals who really matter – William and Kate. Charles is determined that Royal Lodge is the only residence on the royal estate at Windsor that is big enough and regal enough for his heir.”
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A source recently shed light on whether or not Prince William and Kate Middleton would consider moving into Royal Lodge if Prince Andrew vacates it, saying: “taking on Royal Lodge would mean a transformation in the way they lead their lives”.
Further insights from the same source added: “One of the main reasons why the couple are so content at Adelaide Cottage, their current home in Windsor Great Park, is because it is a family house and there are no live-in staff. Moving into the vast Royal Lodge would mean having to accommodate domestic staff, something they have long resisted.”
Moreover, there’s talk about the potential re-assignment of this residence to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. An insider told The Sun about the property another standpoint: “It makes sense for Royal Lodge to be handed back to Crown Estates, which can pay for the much-needed repairs and renovations. It could then be rented to earn money for them, the King’s coffers and the country rather than being a drain on everyone’s resources.”