A strong clash within the royal family has emerged, with Prince William reportedly pressuring Prince Andrew's daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, over the royal residence, Royal Lodge.
According to journalist Emily Maitlis, who interviewed Prince Andrew for the BBC in 2019, there was a meeting between William and the princesses, during which he told them:
"You must convince your father to leave the Royal Lodge; otherwise, we will review your royal titles."
Maitlis adds that the girls felt compelled to convey the message to their father, saying, “This is going to happen.” A kind of subtle pressure that resembles a warning: the royal family has strict rules, and internal conflict is not something that can be ignored.
What's happening with Royal Lodge?
Prince Andrew seems determined not to leave without getting what he wants. He has expressed an interest in Frogmore Cottage, the former home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, while his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, wants to move to Adelaide Cottage after William and Kate Middleton leave next month. Although they separated in 1996, Ferguson moved into the Royal Lodge with Andrew in 2008, complicating the situation.
The kingdom is intervening.
Maitlis mentions that King Charles III was supposed to visit the Royal Lodge to "read the rules" to his brother, but the plan was canceled due to a huge media backlash. The palace, according to Maitlis, preferred not to organize a formal meeting due to the influx of news.
What do the sources say?
The Sun UK reports that the meeting between William and the princesses did not take place and that William does not have the power to strip Beatrice and Eugenie of their titles. But the situation remains tense, as Andrew has not paid rent for the Royal Lodge for the 21 years he has lived there, and it is time for King Charles to ask for his departure.
A friend of the couple told the Sun UK: "Andrew is ready to leave, but he has big demands. He knows his time at Royal Lodge is coming to an end and he is realistic."
All of this comes as Prince Andrew is embroiled in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, increasing pressure on him and complicating royal housing deals.
