The ongoing battle between Prince Andrew and King Charles over the Royal Lodge has intensified, with Andrew reportedly planning to use his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, as his "secret weapon" to retain the property. The £30 million Windsor mansion, which Andrew currently shares with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, has become the center of a family dispute as King Charles pressures his brother to vacate the residence.

Royal biographer and Majesty Magazine editor-in-chief Ingrid Seward suggested that Andrew's strategy involves leveraging the popularity of his daughters within the royal family. "The princesses are Andrew’s secret weapon," Seward told The Sun. "They are very popular among the royal family, and Charles is especially fond of them. They are his passport now that he has lost everything." Andrew hopes to pass the Royal Lodge down to Beatrice and Eugenie, adding a personal dimension to his determination to keep the property.

Andrew stepped back from royal duties in 2019 following a controversial Newsnight interview that addressed allegations of sexual assault and his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Since then, his appearances at royal events have been sparse, and his ongoing feud with King Charles further complicates his public standing. Despite this, Andrew has been more visible in recent months, attending Christmas at Sandringham and Easter at St. George’s Chapel.

The Royal Lodge, a 30-room mansion, holds significant sentimental value for Andrew and his daughters. "It is his home, and it has been their home for many years," Seward explained. "Their childhood was all over the place, and Royal Lodge was the one stability they had." With their mother, Sarah Ferguson, unable to influence the situation, Beatrice and Eugenie are stepping in to support their father.

King Charles has reportedly grown frustrated with Andrew’s refusal to leave the Royal Lodge, particularly given the property’s deteriorating condition. The mansion requires extensive repairs estimated at £400,000 annually. Sources close to the King suggest he may reconsider the financial support he provides Andrew if he continues to resist moving to an alternative residence, such as Frogmore Cottage. "The monarch is said to be becoming increasingly frustrated at Andrew’s refusal to care for the colossal mansion," The Sun reported. "Andrew is said to have promised King Charles he would take care of its expensive repairs—despite having no apparent source of income."

The tension has led to speculation about whether the situation will be resolved amicably or forcefully. A friend of Andrew told The Times, "It can be done tidily or untidily. It can be done with grace and dignity, or it can be forced upon him. It’s all rather sad." The friend added that Andrew might eventually realize that relinquishing the property could offer him greater comfort and continued family support.

Andrew's financial situation has been precarious since losing his taxpayer-funded security detail and stepping back from public duties. King Charles has been covering Andrew's private security costs, but this arrangement may be reconsidered as the standoff over the Royal Lodge continues. The situation has been exacerbated by the release of Netflix's "Scoop," which dramatizes Andrew's infamous Newsnight interview, and an upcoming Amazon series that further delves into his controversies.

Royal correspondent Cameron Walker commented on the impact of these events on Andrew, stating, "Going from almost the top of British society to where he is now—almost the recluse in this massive mansion which may be falling apart at the seams, depending on which way you look at it—clearly must have had a huge effect on Prince Andrew."

As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Andrew will navigate the pressure from King Charles and whether his daughters' involvement will influence the outcome. The ongoing drama underscores the complex dynamics within the royal family and the challenges of balancing personal desires with public responsibilities.