A lesser-known royal property has been ruled out as a substitute home for Prince Andrew after King Charles reportedly cut off his brother’s 10-strong security detail at Royal Lodge in a bid to oust him.
Last year it emerged that Andrew, 64, could not meet the £400,000-a-year upkeep costs of the 30-bedroom home, which is thought to be worth £30 million.
King Charles now appears to be withdrawing private funding for security on the estate which currently costs £3 million a year.
This means that unless the Duke of York can generate the financial resources to pay for repairs the property needs, as well as foot the security bill, he could be faced with being evicted from the property.
Wood Farm is the most likely option for Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson’s future home, nestled on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.
The cottage was the property Prince Philip retired to in 2017 after quitting public life.
The red-brick, five-bedroom home fits King Charles’s wish that Prince Andrew’s new residence keep him far away from the public eye.
This is why the King is unlikely to offer Andrew an apartment in St James’ Palace in London, where Princess Beatrice has an apartment, the same four-bedroom property where she lived during her student years while studying History at Goldsmiths University.
Nestled among the hustle and bustle of the city sits St James’s Palace, a grand brick palace which offers the Royal Family privacy behind its gates in an extremely central location.
Princess Anne also divides her time between St James’s Palace and her country estate of Gatcombe Park, using the palace as her base when completing engagements in the capital.
However, the Express.co.uk team learned today that Prince Andrew may opt for a “mobile security” team as a compromise due to the escalating costs which will ensure Royal Lodge is adequately protected.
The well placed source said: “Discussions were had about using a mobile security team which still means the property [Royal Lodge] will have round-the-clock protection, regular patrols and they will always be on call.
“A new security system will also be fitted inside the property. The costs are much lower and they will not be covered by the taxpayer.”
