Looks like King Charles has officially hit “cancel” on Prince Andrew’s annual allowance. According to author Robert Hardman’s juicy new book, Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story, King Charles, aged 75 and not one for subtlety, told the Keeper of the Privy Purse (fancy term for the royal accountant) to cut off his 64-year-old sibling’s whopping £1 million-a-year ($1.3 million) allowance. No more VIP funding for Andrew’s security team, either – which, by the way, reportedly cost an eye-watering seven figures. Because, naturally, a retired prince is the epitome of “high-risk.”
A royal insider told The Daily Mail that Andrew is now “no longer a financial burden on the King.” Translation? Charles is done playing the Bank of Big Brother.
In case you need more popcorn, Hardman’s biography is being re-released with fresh gossip on November 7, including three shiny new chapters that spill even more tea on Charles and Andrew’s relationship. Spoiler alert: it’s as awkward as a family reunion with no Wi-Fi.
Prince Andrew and the Case of the Antique Hoard
So, what’s Andrew doing with his newfound independence? He’s apparently guarding his prized collection of historical art and old furniture, now that Charles gave him a choice: move out of his plush Royal Lodge in Windsor to Frogmore Cottage (yep, Harry and Meghan’s old pad). But Andrew – who reportedly poured $9 million into renovations at Royal Lodge – politely declined, or more likely said something like, “I think I’ll pass.”
Now, if you’re picturing a Netflix-style eviction showdown, you’re not far off. The Duke of York took over Royal Lodge in 2003, paying a cool million bucks for it and then around $337,000 in annual rent. He’s sitting tight, keeping a grip on that lease like it’s his last slice of pizza.
How to Lose a Million Pounds (And Possibly Your Dignity)
According to Hardman, Andrew had been living the good life since his brother became King – access to all of Windsor’s swanky perks and a £1 million yearly allowance. But when reports started surfacing that Charles wouldn’t renew Andrew’s costly private security contract, you could practically hear the royal purse strings tightening.
By late summer, Charles was done with “Prince Stubborn,” and finally snapped. Andrew, however, had other plans: he would not be moving. Ever. Charles’s patience expired, and he promptly called the Keeper of the Privy Purse with a royal decree: “Cancel that allowance – stat.”
The whole situation, as Hardman describes, is a “mixed blessing.” Sure, Charles is free of his brother’s financial baggage, but the relationship between them is now rockier than a Buckingham Palace driveway. Charles may have handled things, but Andrew’s decision to dig in his heels has left a permanent sour taste in the Windsor family brunch.
The Ghost of Titles Past
And let’s not forget, Andrew’s troubles started well before the royal funds ran dry. His mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, stripped him of his military titles and royal patronages following the Virginia Giuffre lawsuit, which was eventually settled. Andrew has maintained he did nothing wrong, but let’s just say his reputation didn’t walk away unscathed.
So, here we are. Prince Andrew’s future might be looking more Castle-on-a-Budget than Royal Fairytale, but one thing’s for sure: when the British royal family does drama, they do it in style.
