PRINCE Andrew now faces the further humiliating prospect of being kicked out of his 31-bedroom Georgian mansion and losing his police protection.
It comes as he's stripped of his royal patronages and military titles after the Queen held an hour-long summit with Charles and William at Windsor Castle.
In 2003, Andrew signed a 75-year lease at Royal Lodge for a one-off fee of £1million to the Crown Estate — the equivalent of around £250 a week.
Andrew has spent £7.5million refurbishing the property, including the addition of an indoor swimming pool.
Royal Lodge, which would be worth at least £30million on the open market, is three miles from Windsor Castle and was the Queen Mother’s old home.
Andrew’s former wife Sarah Ferguson is also living in the mansion although the couple are believed to have separate wings.
If he is booted out, the prince could move into Harry and Meghan’s old gaff at Frogmore Cottage, as their lease runs out in April.
His downgrading could also mean he loses his 24-hour police protection — and must pay for security himself.
It's just the latest blow for the embattled Duke, 61, who is facing a possible sex-case trial in the US.
Sources say he will never again return to public life.
Her Majesty reportedly made the decision to take his HRH title on Wednesday after a meeting with her eldest son and the Duke of Cambridge.
William was reportedly a key figure in the judgement, and helped his grandmother realise Andrew's position was "grave".
Both he and Charles are said to be in complete agreement that Andrew must go – and were "completely furious" after he "crossed a red line", The Sun exclusively reported.
Andrew, who looked ashen-faced as he was driven in to see his mother, is understood to have been stunned by the move.
Insiders said the decision to reduce the royal — often called her “favourite son” — to a “private citizen” was one of the hardest in the Queen's 70 years on the throne.
It follows talks within the family about the growing problem of the “Andrew issue”.
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At 11.30am Her Majesty summoned him to Windsor Castle before effectively kicking him out of the Royal Family during a highly emotional 90-minute summit.
Her decision came less than 24 hours after New York judge Lewis Kaplan ruled he must face a civil trial on allegations he sexually abused Virginia Giuffre when she was 17.
Andrew, who vehemently denies the accusations, will now have to face his trial as an ordinary citizen.
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A source close to Andrew said he will battle on in his civil case with Virginia Giuffre who claims she was sexually abused when aged 17.
Andrew is seeking an out-of-court settlement for Ms Giuffre. It could be up to £10million — the amount he will get from selling his chalet in Verbier, Switzerland.
In a bombshell statement at 5pm yesterday Buckingham Palace said: “With the Queen’s approval and agreement, The Duke of York’s military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to The Queen.
“The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen.”
'THE HARDEST DECISION'
The Sun understands the Queen personally worded the statement and was determined not to allow any emotional sentiment into it.
It means he is stripped of 12 military titles which had been held in abeyance after he stepped down from duties in November 2019 after his car-crash BBC Newsnight interview.
He loses his honorary roles of Colonel of the Grenadier Guards and RAF Air Commodore with immediate effect.
He will no longer be entitled to wear their uniforms at Cenotaph memorials and the upcoming thanksgiving service for his late father Prince Philip.
Andrew, a Navy helicopter pilot in the Falklands War, will still be allowed to wear his medals like other veterans.
He was also stripped of dozens of royal patronages for golf clubs, universities, yacht clubs, sports associations, medical institutions, charities and art establishments.
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However, he retains his rank of Vice Admiral in the Navy, which was handed to him in 2015 after he retired in 2001.
He is also believed to have retained his Order of the Garter bestowed on him in June 2014.
As one of the Queen’s four children he stays as Counsellor of State — so he can step in for her if she is unable to perform her duties due to illness or absence abroad.
Andrew’s choices
1. Face accuser in court
FACE Virginia Giuffre in court, “tough it out” and fight to clear his name.
But experts say that strategy is extremely high-risk, pitting a senior royal against a victim of alleged sex abuse in the US court system.
Even if Andrew was determined to challenge Ms Giuffre’s claims — which he firmly denies — the reputational damage could still be immense.
He would very likely be cross-examined via video-link about some extremely personal matters — including his sexual tastes.
2. Offer a cash settlement
SETTLE and offer Virginia Giuffre a lot of money to walk away.
Paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, who was a close pal of Andrew, paid Giuffre £370,000 for a “non-prosecution agreement”.
Andrew would almost certainly have to pay up to £10million to secure a “no liability” deal.
Even then, there is no guarantee of new deeply damaging material not being made public as negotiations drag on.
Effectively paying off an Epstein victim also means his reputation will never recover.
3. Walk away from the case
REFUSE to engage in the case against him. His accuser would be almost certain to win a judgment by default and damages and costs stretching into millions.
The reputational cost would be far worse to Andrew — as well as provoking the fury of the UK’s most powerful ally.
Andrew is still the subject of a US “mutual legal assistance” request to the UK — filed when it sought to question him in its Epstein probe.
It has been gathering dust but Andrew could now put the Home Office in a tricky position.
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