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

Prince William confronted by founder of The Big Issue in awkward interaction

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.”

Key Points

• Prince Andrew’s £30m Royal Lodge in mouldy disrepair
• William arrives in South Africa
• King Charles severs financial ties with Prince Andrew
• Charles and William’s royal estates ‘earn millions from NHS, armed forces and state school rents’

[2 November 2024 01:00 · Salma Ouaguira]

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:

[2 November 2024 00:30 · Salma Ouaguira]

‘It’s important to change the narrative around homelessness’, says William

In the ITV documentary We Can End Homelessness, Prince William said it is vital to change attitudes towards homelessness.

“I think it’s really important that we can try and change and tackle the narrative around homelessness,” he said. “People live with it, we see it every day in our lives, that’s something I want to challenge.”

One of the clips shows the prince looking through photos of a visit to a homeless charity when he was a child, with his mother, Princess Diana.

“That’s when it dawned on me that there are other people out there who don’t have the same life as you do. When you’re quite small, you just think life is what you see in front of you, and you don’t really have the concept to look elsewhere,” he said.

“It’s when you meet people, like I did then, who put a different perspective in your head and say like, ‘well, I was on the street last night’, and you’re like, ‘whoa’,” he added.

[2 November 2024 00:00 · Salma Ouaguira]

Prince William faces uncomfortable moment in homelessness documentary

Prince William has faced an uncomfortable moment during the premiere of his documentary, Prince William: We Can End Homelessness, which aired its first part last tonight.

In the film, the Prince of Wales, 42, was confronted by Lord John Bird, founder of The Big Issue, who challenged him to address the “failed thinking” surrounding homelessness.

Lord Bird bluntly stated he wanted no “b******t” in their discussions, urging the prince to spearhead a new approach through his Homewards programme - an ambitious initiative aiming to end homelessness within five years.

“We need the expertise of everybody,” Lord Bird said during their meeting in episode one.

He criticised the fragmented efforts of local authorities, charities, and government departments over the past three decades.

William responded with an invitation for open dialogue, adding: “I’m conscious that it’s a team environment... please do feel free to pile in when you need to.”

To which Lord Bird replied: “I hope you mean that,” before jokingly adding: “Sorry, I’m jumping in.”

The Prince’s goal of ending homelessness has been inspired by his childhood experiences visiting shelters with his late mother, Princess Diana.

[1 November 2024 20:00 · Salma Ouaguira]

Donald Trump’s son attacks Meghan Markle and Harry

Donald Trump’s son, Eric, has attacked Meghan Markle describing the Duchess of Sussex as “pretty unpopular”.

A row between the Trumps and the Sussexes was ignited in 2016 after Meghan described the former US president of being “divisive” and misogynistic” during an interview on The Nightly Show With Larry Wilmore.

Three years later, the Republican candidate replied by saying: “I didn’t know she was nasty,” and attempted to dismiss the comment.

In 2020, Trump slammed Meghan again and said: “I’m not a fan of hers. I wish a lot of luck to Harry, he’s going to need it.”

Now, his son has hit out at Harry. He told the Daily Mail: “Kate, I think she conducts herself so incredibly well and has been such a rock in the next generation of the family.

“And William, obviously I don’t really think has made a misstep.

“And yet, you look at this one black sheep [Harry] who doesn’t exactly know where he is, led by a wife who’s pretty unpopular, both here and over where you are.”