“When William takes the throne, he intends to make it unmistakably clear that there isn’t any function for somebody with Andrew’s previous anyplace close to the general public stage,” a former palace staffer stated.
The King’s motion additionally reignites questions over Andrew’s continued residence at Royal Lodge, the 30-room Windsor property he shares together with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, 65. The couple have resisted calls to maneuver into the smaller Frogmore Cottage, regardless of the King’s makes an attempt to steer them privately.
“The optics could not be worse – a disgraced royal having fun with a lavish way of life on crown property,” a royal insider stated. “However as a result of Andrew holds a non-public lease, it is a authorized grey space. For the second, he is refusing to maneuver.”
Although Buckingham Palace insists the King’s determination was taken “to guard the integrity of the monarchy,” aides privately describe it as each pragmatic and emotional. “It was the King’s approach of placing an finish to an extended and tough chapter,” stated one senior official.
“He is conscious his time is restricted and needed to spare William the burden of sorting it out. In some ways, this was Charles’ final reward to his son – and fairly probably his last act of service.”