Palace insiders have said it is “unrealistic” that Andrew will be able to stay at Royal Lodge “long-term”, as he is no longer a working royal and is kept financially afloat by his grant, his Navy pension and his inheritance from his parents.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told GB News that Andrew was in “no position” to move against his older brother during crisis talks about the Windsor property.
He compared the situation to that of the Sussexes, who were asked to move their belongings out of Frogmore Cottage following the publication of Harry’s damning memoir Spare in January this year.
However he noted that Andrew was in a different situation, explaining why he had been allowed to remain at a royal property depsite being stripped of his working obligations.
Mr Fitzwilliams said: “Andrew is hardly in a position to do anything of the kind [release a scathing memoir]. Andrew is not a working member or a senior working member, nor ever will be in my opinion.
“But he has to live somewhere. He wanted to live there, he’s got a lease there, and he can do the repairs, so that is that.”
Sarah, Duchess of York, is said to be offering her ex-husband £2 million to help him pay for the refurbishments needed at Royal Lodge.
A friend of Fergie told The Daily Mail: “It is true Sarah has a vested interest in Andrew continuing to live at Royal Lodge, as it is where she stays when in the UK.
“But it is more than that, this is about Andrew’s pride. Andrew has always stood by Sarah throughout her various past failures and she sees this as her chance to do the same.”
