Why Did King Charles Cut Off Brother Prince Andrew & Stop His Annual Allowance — Explanation

Prince Andrew, 64, once a prominent figure in the British royal family, has faced a dramatic shift in his public role and personal circumstances.

His fall from grace began over a decade ago, initially sparked by allegations of close associations with Jeffrey Epstein, an American financier later convicted of serious offenses involving minors.

Although the allegations against Andrew surfaced years ago, they have continued to shadow him, significantly impacting his standing within the monarchy.

In 2010, rumors about Andrew’s connections to Epstein began stirring, but the scrutiny intensified sharply in 2015 when a woman filed a civil suit implicating the prince.

According to “The Guardian,” the woman claimed in a court motion that Epstein had “loaned” her to various high-profile individuals, including Prince Andrew, while she was underage.

The suit alleged that she had been coerced into “repeated sexual relations” with the prince. While Andrew was not named as a defendant, the implication alone was enough to capture international attention, raising serious concerns.

In response to the allegations, Buckingham Palace stated that “any suggestion of impropriety with underage minors is categorically untrue,” emphasizing that Andrew was not part of the U.S. legal proceedings at the time.

The impact of Epstein’s demise in August 2019 only deepened the scandal surrounding Prince Andrew. Epstein’s death, ruled a suicide by New York City’s Chief Medical Examiner, ended the possibility of a criminal trial for the financier, leaving many questions unanswered.

However, it also cast a more intense spotlight on those associated with him, including Andrew, whose relationship with Epstein remained a subject of intense media coverage.

As the years passed, the royal family reportedly took steps to distance itself from the Duke of York. By January 2022, Buckingham Palace issued a formal announcement stripping Andrew of his royal and military titles.

This move, approved by Queen Elizabeth II herself, emphasized the Duke’s diminished role, stating that he would “continue not to undertake any public duties” and would address any legal matters as a “private citizen.” For Andrew, the loss of these titles signaled a clear shift in his position, marking a new chapter in his life.

In recent developments, King Charles, 75, has reportedly sought a “resolution” to what some have referred to as the “Andrew problem.” With Charles now overseeing royal finances and family responsibilities, his patience with Andrew’s situation appears to be waning.

According to sources cited by “The Times,” the King has privately funded his brother’s security, which costs an estimated £3 million ($3.9 million) annually, as well as providing Andrew with a generous living allowance for his expenses.

Those close to Charles reveal he now wants his brother to consider “only two possible options”: either gain financial independence to cover his own expenses, including security and maintenance of the lodge, or agree to relocate to a smaller residence.

In a decisive move, King Charles has officially cut off Prince Andrew’s annual allowance, marking a new chapter in the tense relationship between the two brothers.

According to royal biographer Robert Hardman, whose recent biography on King Charles reveals new details about this decision, the monarch instructed his finance director, the Keeper of the Privy Purse, to end Andrew’s personal allowance, which was estimated at around £1 million ($1.3 million).

This substantial cutback also includes ending financial support for Andrew’s private security, leaving him to bear the high costs alone. “The duke is no longer a financial burden on the King,” a source confirmed.

Another major focus has been Prince Andrew’s living arrangements. Despite stepping down from official duties nearly five years ago, the Duke of York remains at Royal Lodge, a large estate in Windsor.

King Charles has long made his expectations clear: he wishes Andrew to leave Royal Lodge, a sprawling 30-room estate in Windsor, for more modest accommodations.

Without a steady income, aside from a modest naval pension, Andrew is unlikely to afford the considerable costs tied to staying at the Lodge on his own. The King has suggested Frogmore Cottage, the former home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as an alternative residence for Andrew.

Situated on the Windsor estate, Frogmore Cottage is a five-bedroom residence that offers the benefit of being within the existing security perimeter, which would alleviate some of the financial strain associated with Andrew’s protection needs.

Additionally, the King has indicated his willingness to support Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York — both of whom have experienced significant health challenges in recent years, including cancer treatments. Now two years into his reign, King Charles appears more determined than ever to address this unresolved issue within the family.

The monarch’s patience reportedly ran thin as Andrew continued to reside in the estate, which has an estimated value of £30 million ($39 million).

With Royal Lodge representing one of the last symbols of his former royal life, the Duke of York has staunchly resisted the King’s calls to relocate to Frogmore Cottage.

Andrew’s determination to stay put at Royal Lodge is rooted in a 75-year lease he signed in 2003, which he claims provides him with long-term residency rights.

According to sources close to the Duke, he is adamant about his right to remain in the property and insists he has the funds to support his own security, despite the considerable expense.

An insider stated, “Prince Andrew is holding firm and is determined to stay in the Royal Lodge.” The prince, it appears, sees no reason to relocate, especially since he is no longer financially reliant on the King.

Royal expert Rupert Bell recently commented on Andrew’s resistance, attributing it to a mix of “stubbornness” and a sense of entitlement. Bell explained that Andrew’s “arrogance” and determination have often placed him at odds with others.

“He feels like he lost everything,” Bell noted, adding that the Duke’s refusal to downsize is his way of holding on to what remains of his former life. For Andrew, Royal Lodge represents stability and continuity amid the considerable changes he has faced.

The strained family dynamics have also affected Andrew’s daughters, Princess Beatrice, 36, and Princess Eugenie, 34. While both princesses remain cherished members of the royal family, they are not part of Charles’ vision for a “slimmed down monarchy.”

As a result, Andrew reportedly hopes that the Royal Lodge might one day pass to his daughters, despite their exclusion from official royal duties under the new regime.

For now, the situation remains unresolved, with the King’s patience reportedly wearing thin. Andrew, meanwhile, maintains that he has found “other sources of income” through connections in international trade, which he claims will support his living and security costs.

However, royal sources suggest that His Majesty may still have the final say on the matter. As one insider remarked, “If he can find the money, then that is up to him, but if not, he will find that the King does not have unlimited patience.”

The matter may be temporarily settled, but it continues to cast a shadow over the family, with some suggesting that Andrew’s unyielding stance has “soured’ relationships within the royal household.