Prince Andrew stopped to talk to dog walkers in Windsor today as he returned from his morning run – days before he is reportedly set to lose access to his 10-strong security team, which is privately paid by King Charles.
The Duke of York, 64, drove through the grounds of Windsor Castle on Saturday, stopping briefly on the Long Walk to smile at the crowd through his car window.
Previously, the prince had enjoyed a morning ride around the grounds of Windsor Park, wearing a dark gray jacket and his usual black helmet with a white stripe.
After spending some time in the great outdoors, Prince Andrew drove back to Royal Lodge with a man who could be a member of his soon-to-be axed security team.
Sources say the king no longer wants to pay his brother’s security bill.
Prince Andrew stopped to talk to dog walkers in Windsor today as he returned from his morning run
The Duke of York, 64, drove through the grounds of Windsor Castle on Saturday, stopping briefly on the Long Walk to smile at the crowd through his car window
Andrew lost his government-funded protection officers in 2019 when he was ordered to step down as a working member of the royal family amid the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
The Duke quietly retired from royal life and was stripped of his military titles after being torn to shreds by Emily Maitlis on BBC Newsnight over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Members of the royal family are usually protected by Metropolitan Police officers, but amid the Epstein scandal, the late queen privately paid for a security team to watch over her second son.
The arrangement continued after Her Majesty’s death in 2022, but according to recent reports, King Charles no longer wants to foot his brother’s security bill.
According to The sun on SundayMembers of Prince Andrew’s 10-strong security team have been told their services will no longer be required from November.
It is believed that King Charles is removing Andrew’s protection in a tactical move to force him out of the Royal Lodge.
The Duke is currently staying at the £30million property in the grounds of Windsor Castle with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, affectionately known as Fergie.
An insider told the publication: ‘Everyone is speculating that this means the Duke will have to leave the Royal Box because what other reason could there be to take away his security?
After spending some time in the great outdoors, Prince Andrew drove back to Royal Lodge with a man who could be a member of his soon-to-be axed security team.
Sources say King Charles no longer wants to pay his brother’s security bill
Previously, the prince had enjoyed a morning ride around the grounds of Windsor Park, wearing a dark gray jacket and his usual black helmet with a white stripe.
‘They are all working the last weeks of their contracts until the end of October. There is no thought that there is anyone lining up to replace them.”
Andrew signed a 75-year lease with the Crown Estate when he moved to the Royal Lodge in 2003, making an initial payment of £1 million.
The agreement included a notional rent of £260,000 per annum.
The dilapidated property is in dire need of repair and restoration, which is why insiders believe the lodge should be returned to Crown Estates.
Andrew lost his government-funded protection officers in 2019 when he was ordered to step down as a working member of the royal family amid the Jeffrey Epstein scandal
An insider said this The sun: ‘It could then be rented to make money for them, the king’s treasury and the country, instead of being a drain on everyone’s resources.’
Sources say the king could even cut off the £4million a year he pays his younger brother to force him out of the 30-room lodge in Windsor Great Park.
Instead of Royal Lodge, King Charles reportedly wants Andrew and Fergie to live in the more modest five-bed Frogmore Cottage, which once belonged to Harry and Meghan before they left Britain.
Buckingham Palace declined to confirm the reports.