Prince Andrew has made a bold move regarding his residence at the Royal Lodge, choosing to defy King Charles' pressure to leave.
Despite the King stopping his funding and cutting off his private security, the Duke was seen near his opulent Windsor Castle home on Saturday, appearing unyielding to demands that he vacate.
Insiders say he is adamant about staying put, seeing "no reason" to depart from the property that once belonged to the Queen Mother and was granted to him by Queen Elizabeth.
Andrew, who shares the estate with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, secured a 75-year lease in 2003, enjoying features like swimming facilities and vast 90-acre grounds.
However, reports suggest King Charles wishes for him to move to Frogmore Cottage, previously inhabited by Prince Harry and Meghan. A source disclosed to the Sun on Sunday: "Prince Andrew is holding firm and is determined to stay in the Royal Lodge."
They also mentioned his confidence in being able to afford his own security costs, which amount to £1m annually, reports the Scottish Daily Express.
A source revealed: "He is insistent that he has the funds to pay for his own security, despite the eyewatering seven-figure sum it is reportedly costing him. He is no longer a financial burden on the King and sees no reason why he should have to move from his home."
Royal author Robert Hardman's new book 'Charles III: New King. New Court The Inside Story', set to be released on November 7, provides an update on this ongoing saga. It alleges that the Monarch took decisive action to cut off Andrew and instructed the Keeper of the Privy Purse to stop the Duke of York's yearly stipend and private protection measures.
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Earlier this year, it was reported that Charles was frustrated with his brother's stubborn refusal to leave Royal Lodge for Frogmore Cottage. A palace insider told the Times: "The King's kindness is not without limit and there is a very good option for Andrew to move into Frogmore Cottage, recently vacated by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, which also has the benefit of being within the Windsor Castle security cordon hence reducing the need for alternative round-the-clock security for Royal Lodge."
It was previously reported that some experts believe the Duke doesn't want to move because he has already lost so much, and that he "arrogantly" believes he is always right.
His Royal duties were stripped after his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein came to light.
Rupert Bell, speaking to Times Radio, said: "One of the problems that Prince Andrew has is that he is occasionally convinced of his rightness, and he gets himself into hot water with his stubbornness and sometimes his own arrogance has caused him to create these problems."
He added: "He feels like he lost everything and if he loses his house, well then he probably feels that even more has been taken away from him. It's an interesting dynamic between these two but King is trying in a way to force his hand but if Andrew says I can afford to live here, then there's not much the King can do."
Get the latest celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily Showbiz newsletter here.