Inside major Prince Andrew home row keeping Prince William's family from relocating

Prince Andrew has been embroiled in multiple rows over the past decade, namely over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his ill-fated interview with BBC Newsnight.

But a battle much closer to home has left the Duke of York facing growing pressure as the King is believed to have demanded he agree to downsize.

Prince Andrew has been living at Royal Lodge, in Windsor Great Park, for over two decades and has been resisting calls to relocate to the smaller Frogmore Cottage only a few miles away.

The Duke has come under financial pressure in recent years and the upkeep of the 30-room mansion has become a bitter point of contention between him and the King.

A friend close to His Majesty this week claimed he was ready to completely "sever ties" with Andrew unless he agreed to the move.

Speculation has been rife about Charles's plans for Royal Lodge, with several commentators suggesting he is planning to have Prince William and his family move into the Windsor mansion.

The Prince and Princess of Wales moved to Windsor's Adelaide Cottage from their apartment at Kensington Palace in September 2022.

Sources claimed the couple opted for the four-bedroom, two-storey stucco-faced property to secure a good school spot for their three children – but argued it's not a long-term solution for the growing family of the future king.

Royal Lodge has played a key role in the history of the Royal Family, having served as a retreat to the King and Andrews's mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, when she was a child.

The property was a gift to George VI and Elizabeth, the Queen Mother before the accession and served as background for the announcement of Princess Margaret's engagement to Antony Armstrong-Jones in 1960.

The Lodge was then handed over to Andrew following the death of the Queen Mother, who had used it as her base in Windsor for over 50 years.

The Duke of York is believed to have forked out £7.5 million to renovate and include an indoor swimming pool and driving range before moving in 2002.

Andrew has a long lease on the Georgian mansion but the estimated maintenance costs have raised concerns about whether he might default on the contract because of a lack of funds.

The question about his potential relocation first emerged after the King issued a general decree urging members of the Royal Family to cut their living costs shortly after succeeding.

Reports have emerged claiming the Duke has refused to move out during building work fearing he "might never get back in."

Speaking to the Daily Mail, one insider said: "It's become farcical. Andrew has roof repairs scheduled later this summer, which will take several months to complete and has been advised that staying in the house during those renovations could prove problematic.

"But he is reluctant to leave."

In exchange for the bigger Royal Lodge, Andrew has been offered the Grade II-lister Frogmore Cottage which, until last year, was Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's UK home.

The property was widely renovated before the couple moved in following their marriage in 2018, however, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex lamented its size did not fit their requirements.