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Royal news live: Pictures show Prince Andrew’s run down £30m Royal Lodge amid King Charles axing £1m allowance

Monarch cut financial ties to disgraced Prince Andrew after he refused to move out of his home

Alex Croft,Athena Stavrou
Monday 04 November 2024 20:51
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Prince William confronted by founder of The Big Issue in awkward interaction

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Striking photos have shown Prince Andrew’s £30m Royal Lodge in a state of disrepair amid reports that King Charles withdrew his generous £1m annual “living allowance” after the Duke of York refused to move out.

As Andrew’s financial woes continue to worsen, new photographs reveal large cracks in the exterior walls of his 31-bedroom Windsor mansion.

The crumbling paintwork and black-mould-covered roofing have sparked concern about the upkeep of the property, once lived in by the late Queen Mother and King George VI.

The Duke of York has lived in the Royal Lodge for more than 20 years, but has reportedly faced calls from the monarch to move out after his friendship with convicted paedophile Jefferey Epstein came to light.

Earlier this year, it was reported Andrew refused an offer to move into the nearby Frogmore Cottage, prompting the King to later axe the duke’s entire security team, meaning he had to either finance for them himself or leave the lodge entirely.

This has now become a near impossible task as Andrew’s royal allowance is cut, according to royal author Robert Hardman. A source told him: “The Duke is no longer a financial burden on the King.”

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Princess Kate forms ‘very close’ bond with King after shared health battles

Princess Kate has developed a notably close relationship with King Charles in recent months.

Known for her connections with various royals, Kate’s bond with the King appears to have deepened after both faced significant health challenges this year.

The Princess of Wales and the King underwent surgeries at the same hospital, both receiving cancer diagnoses shortly after their procedures.

This shared experience has seemingly strengthened their relationship, lending credence to Prince Harry’s assertion that illness can bring families closer together.

A source close to the Palace revealed that King Charles made a poignant gesture during Kate’s health scare in January, visiting her in her hospital room while he was also a patient at the London Clinic for his own prostate surgery.

According to Palace sources, the King views Kate with deep affection, considering her as a daughter.

“They are very close, and he thinks of Catherine as his daughter,” the source said.

The Princess of Wales announced in September she had completed her course of chemotherapy (Mike Egerton/PA)
The Princess of Wales announced in September she had completed her course of chemotherapy (Mike Egerton/PA) (PA Wire)
Alex Croft2 November 2024 19:19
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Busy past month for the Prince and Princess of Wales

It’s been a busy October for the Prince and Princess of Wales.

With the launch of new London air ambulances, a memorial for the Southport stabbings, the release of a documentary on homelessness and much more, Prince William has been busy and Kate Middleton has enjoyed a partial return to work after her cancer diagnosis earlier in the year.

Here’s what the pair got up to in October:

Alex Croft2 November 2024 17:24
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Full report: King ‘cuts financial ties to disgraced Prince Andrew after refusal to move out of home’

The King is cutting financial ties to the disgraced Duke of York after he refused to move out of his home, a royal writer has claimed.

In what is a new low in the brothers’ relationship, Prince Andrew’s annual £1 million “living allowance” has been withdrawn by Charles, according to a new book by Robert Hardman.

The move will be seen as another step the monarch has taken to publicly distance himself from his younger brother following his association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Tara Cobham reports:

King ‘cuts financial ties to disgraced Andrew after refusal to move out of home’

Duke of York’s annual £1 million ‘living allowance’ withdrawn by Charles in claimed new low in brothers’ relationship

Tara Cobham2 November 2024 15:29
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In pictures: Military Wives’ Choir releases new song to mark King’s 76th birthday

Military Wives’ Choir performing the song November Sunday, released to mark the King’s forthcoming 76th birthday
Military Wives’ Choir performing the song November Sunday, released to mark the King’s forthcoming 76th birthday (Military Wives' Choir/PA Wire)
King meets the Military Wives' Choir in 2014
King meets the Military Wives' Choir in 2014 (Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)
Alex Croft2 November 2024 13:35
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King ‘heartbroken’ about the ‘destruction and devastation’ following Spain floods

King Charles has offered his “sincere and heartfelt condolences” to the people of Spain following the devastating floods which have so far killed more than 200 people.

Addressed to King Felipe VI of Spain, the King wrote: “My wife and I were utterly heartbroken to learn of the destruction and devastation following the catastrophic flooding in Southern and Eastern Spain.

“So many in the United Kingdom have strong, personal ties to Spain, and our nations are bound by so much that we have in common.

“We extend our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to you and to the people of Spain for the tragic loss of so many lives. Our special thoughts, prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with all those who have lost loved ones and livelihoods this terrible week.”

Alex Croft2 November 2024 11:40
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King Charles severs financial ties with Prince Andrew

King Charles has instructed the royal purse-keeper to “sever” Prince Andrew’s annual £1 million allowance, according to royal writer Robert Hardman in a new book serialised by the Daily Mail.

The keeper of the privy purse was “instructed to sever [Andrew’s] living allowance” after the Duke of York refused to move out of his 30-room mansion the Royal Lodge into the smaller, nearby Frogmore Cottage.

“’The duke is no longer a financial burden on the King,’ confirms one familiar with the situation,” Mr Hardman writes.

“’He claims to have found other sources of income related to his contacts in international trade, sufficient to cover all his costs - which would be a welcome outcome for all parties if that turns out to be the case.

“’But as to whether this funding can be relied upon in the long term is another matter.’”

Alex Croft2 November 2024 09:43
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Princess Kate to miss Prince William’s Earthshot Prize Awards

As Prince William prepares to travel to Cape Town next week for the fourth Earthshot Prize Awards, Princess Kate will remain in Windsor with their three children.

After being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and completing chemotherapy just two months ago, the 42-year-old Princess has chosen to prioritise her health and family during this time.

This marks the second consecutive year she has opted out of the event.

Prince William founded the Earthshot Prize is environmental awards back in 2020 to champion for green solutions for the world’s climate problems.

Last year, Kate missed the ceremony in Singapore while Prince George was taking his exams.

At the time, a senior Palace source said: “The Princess will not be attending. Prince George has exams that week and the Princess wants to be at home to support him.”

(Matt Porteous)
Alex Croft2 November 2024 07:00
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Watch: Diddy’s former publicist reveals rapper was ‘obsessed’ with Prince Harry and Prince William

Diddy's former publicist reveals rapper was 'obsessed' with Prince Harry and Prince William
Salma Ouaguira2 November 2024 02:00
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ICYMI: Unseen picture of Meghan Markle posted by former Suits co-star

They played out the couple Mike Ross and Rachel Zane, now Suits actor Patrick J Adams has reminded us all of his friendship with Meghan Markle by posting an unseen photograph of her on Instagram.

The post is to promote the latest episode of his podcast with Sarah Raffery, who played Donna Paulsen in the legal drama series - but it’s also got fans hoping the Duchess of Sussex could be invited for a mini reunion.

One fan wrote: “Keeping my fingers crossed Meghan comes on, love those Suits days.” Another wrote: “I’d sign that petition.”

Salma Ouaguira2 November 2024 01:30
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Ditching monarchy would represent ‘a loss of identity’ to many Brits, argues new study

Queen Elizabeth II’s death had a profound impact on national sentiment towards the monarchy, a study has claimed.

Academics from The Open University focused on individuals who participated in mourning events in Edinburgh and London following the monarch’s passing on 8 September, 2022.

You can read the full story below:

Ditching monarchy would represent ‘loss of identity’ to many Brits, argues new study

Brits believe Queen Elizabeth II represented ‘something of who we were’

Salma Ouaguira2 November 2024 01:00

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