King Charles III has finally taken drastic measures to cope with the daunting crises within the royal family, particularly surrounding Prince Andrew.
The monarch, 76, is said to be locked in crucial negotiations over his younger brother's royal lodge, offering him a safe passage to leave the Windsor property.
It comes amid reports of growing pressure and scrutiny over Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson's past associations and controversies.
Buckingham Palace has intensified efforts to persuade the royal to vacate the 30-room estate voluntarily, as his tenancy agreement prevents forced removal.
It comes after Andrew’s royal banner quietly vanished from its longtime place inside St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
Andrew and royal officials held a secret meeting regarding his departure from the royal residence following public backlash of Andrew's rent-free occupancy.
Although Prince Andrew initially resisted, pointing to five decades remaining on his prepaid tenancy, palace insiders now detect increasing acceptance that relocation is unavoidable.
Despite progress in the negotiations, key obstacles persist. Financial settlements for the royal's substantial investments in the property and finding suitable alternative accommodation remain major sticking points of the discussion, according to reports.
As per reports, Palace officials have recently adopted a more resolute stance on securing Andrew’s departure. The millions he has invested in Royal Lodge through the Crown Estate lease arrangement require resolution.
In the meeting, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie's future with the royal family and their respective accommodations at St James's Palace and Kensington Palace were also discussed.
Royal insiders indicate the Palace recognises the importance of protecting Andrew's daughters' interests whilst pursuing his relocation from the Windsor estate.
Andrew has been paying merely a symbolic annual fee for his Windsor residence for more than two decades.
The lease arrangement specifies payment of "one peppercorn" yearly, "if demanded", which is how Andrew has managed to retain the substantial property.
According to a National Audit Office report, he was additionally obligated to contribute £7.5m towards renovations that were finalised in 2005.
