Prince Andrew prefers Royal Lodge despite King Charles' offer of Harry, Meghan's home

Prince Andrew is refusing to give up Royal Lodge despite King Charles' suggestion that he move to the former home of Prince Harry and Meghan.

A friend of King Charles claims that the Duke of York, 64, has become a prisoner of his own pride. Andrew is believed to have declined leaving his home at Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, Berkshire, and the monarch is reportedly unwilling to continue funding his brother's lifestyle.

This has left Andrew an increasingly isolated and tragic figure in the Grade II listed house, where he now "spends his days watching television in a darkened room."

 Although Andrew had reached an agreement with the monarch last year to remain at Royal Lodge, the situation has since changed, according to reports.

A friend of King Charles said: "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."

Andrew, who no longer has official duties, shares the sprawling 30-room mansion in Windsor with just his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson. It was the Windsor residence of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother from 1952 until she died there in 2002, at the age of 101.

Two years later, it officially became Andrew's home but the father of two was forced to step down from royal duties amid the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. He quit public life in November 2019, admitting it had "become clear [that] my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family’s work."

And a source close to the royal family told The Times Andrew is taking "longer than desirable to recognise the reality of the situation". They added: "If he doesn't agree to move to a property better suited to his needs, then the King may have to reconsider the levels of support he is willing to provide."

Charles has previously claimed his brother should move to nearby Frogmore Cottage — Prince Harry and Meghan's former home. The monarch's wish for Andrew to downsize came as he reportedly cut his £250,000 annual allowance that he had been previously provided with by the late Queen Elizabeth.