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Andrew's 'crumbling prison' home where duke 'spends all day watching TV'

01 June 2024 , 14:09
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Photos show the outside of the home falling apart
Photos show the outside of the home falling apart

PRINCE Andrew is spending all day "watching TV in a dark room" like a prisoner at his "crumbling" home.

The revelation comes as King Charles, 75, has redoubled his efforts to evict the disgraced Duke - with insiders branding the stand-off the "siege of Royal Lodge".

It's been more than four years since Andrew stepped down from royal duties uhihriqhitdprw
It's been more than four years since Andrew stepped down from royal dutiesCredit: Reuters
The Duke of York's Royal Lodge home, where he has lived since 2002
The Duke of York's Royal Lodge home, where he has lived since 2002
The outside of the home is falling apart
The outside of the home is falling apart
Andrew has become a 'prisoner' in the home
Andrew has become a 'prisoner' in the home

Andrew has now become a "prisoner of his own pride" as he refuses to bow to his brother's wishes, a friend told The Times.

But that prison is falling apart as Royal Lodge "needs extensive repairs" thought to be about £400,000 a year.

The stately home sits in Windsor State Park, Berks, several miles south of Windsor Castle.

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Andrew, 64, moved in after the death of the Queen Mother in 2002.

The shamed Duke has reportedly already poured £7.5million into repairs but sources say he cannot continue to meet the bill.

Very little work has been carried out on the property since Andrew spent £7m on repairs when he moved in.

The Sun reported last year the home currently needs an estimated £2million in repairs with the duke reportedly paying £200,000 for roof repairs.

Recent photos showed the Stucco-like outside of the mansion falling away and mould growing on it.

The royal, who no longer has official duties, shares the sprawling 30-room mansion in Windsor with just his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.

Last year, Andrew and the King clashed when Charles was said to have wanted to kick his brother out of his home with courtiers saying Prince William and his family would eventually move into the vast property.

The Sun exclusively revealed Andrew had rejected the chance to move into Frogmore Cottage last year after Harry and Meghan were served with eviction.

Andrew will never return to public duties after paying millions to settle a sex trafficking case linked to Jeffrey Epstein, raising questions over how he will continue to afford badly needed repairs.

Despite mounting costs, he is still refusing to budge - pointing out that he is in possession of a 75-year lease.

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A friend told The Times: "It can be done tidily or untidily. It can be done with grace and dignity or it can be forced upon him. It’s all rather sad.

Mould can be seen growing on the outside of the home
Mould can be seen growing on the outside of the home
Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park once the home of the Queen Mother
Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park once the home of the Queen Mother

"But as things stand, life at Royal Lodge is set to become increasingly cold and uncomfortable for the duke.

"The only question now is when he will realise that he has become a prisoner of his own pride - and that handing back the keys will afford him far greater comfort, and the continued support of his family."

It comes as Charles is said to be unwilling to keep paying out of his own pocket to fund Andy's lavish lifestyle.

Sources close to the monarch claim he could be forced to "reconsider the levels of support he is willing to provide" if the so-called siege of Royal Lodge continues.

The disgraced Duke's police protection was removed when he stepped down from public duty amid the Epstein scandal.

But Charles stepped in to pick up his multi-million pounds private security bill.

The crisis shows no sign of going away after Netflix screened its hit drama Scoop detailing Andy's 'car crash' Newsnight interview.

And there is yet another depiction of his shame in an Amazon series on his downfall where Andy is played by actor Michael Sheen.

The brothers are reportedly engaged in a stand-off over the home
The brothers are reportedly engaged in a stand-off over the homeCredit: Getty
Royal Lodge is in Berkshire, several miles south of Windsor Castle
Royal Lodge is in Berkshire, several miles south of Windsor Castle

James Halpin

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