Prince Andrew doesn't need to leave Royal Lodge after his brother King Charles ascended the throne. The new monarch reportedly doesn't have the power to kick him out of his home because their mom Queen Elizabeth had already secured his future.
Queen Elizabeth Ensured Prince Andrew's Future In Windsor's Royal Lodge
Royal correspondent Russell Myers spoke about how Queen Elizabeth made sure to look after her favorite son on Mirror's The Royal Beat podcast. The royal expert claimed that there was no way King Charles could kick his younger brother Prince Andrew from Royal Lodge.
According to Myers, there has been a "discussion" about the Duke of York's finances and lifestyle after Queen Elizabeth passed away. However, the late royal made sure to "look after" Prince Andrew.
Myers said that Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson "won't be getting kicked out" of their home in Windsor.
Royal Lodge was leased to Prince Andrew following the Queen Mother's death. Aside from the main house, the lease also included Gardener's Cottage, the Chapel Lodge, six Lodge Cottages, police security accommodation and a whopping 40 hectares of land.
However, he will pay for any renovation. Prince Andrew moved to the Royal Lodge in 2004 with his two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Soon after, his ex-wife Ferguson joined them.
Did Queen Elizabeth Have A Favorite Child?
There are speculations that the Queen's favorite child among her and Prince Philip's four children was Prince Andrew. In March, Her Majesty raised several eyebrows when she picked the controversial and disgraced Duke of York to be her escort at her late husband's memorial service.
Many believed that she always had a soft spot for Prince Andrew. Royal experts have different opinions about this matter.
Historian Robert Lacey told Town & Country that the Queen took time away from her royal duties when she and Prince Philip welcomed Prince Andrew, so "she became warmer and more flexible as time went by."
Richard Fitzwilliams seemingly agreed. He drew a link between the Queen's change in lifestyle and a closer bond with her third child.
"She was able to give him more attention and Andrew was someone with whom she's had a particular affinity," Fitzwilliams told CNN.
Meanwhile, royal biographer Tina Brown echoed the same sentiments that the Queen had a soft spot for Prince Andrew. However, she wasn't convinced that the Duke of York was the late monarch's favorite.
"Andrew has always been a dim bulb and something of an oaf, let's face it," she told 60 Minutes Australia. "Andrew has been canceled essentially. I mean you couldn't be more canceled than Andrew right? He's been told, 'you're done'. The Queen has a very, very soft spot for Andrew. She has found his conduct—I'm sure—distressing but, you know, a mother is a mother and you cannot tell a mother what to feel about her children."
Yahoo! Life noted, "soft spot, yes, but favorite? Unlikely."
Stay tuned for more news and updates about Queen Elizabeth, Prince Andrew and King Charles.