Prince Andrew demands mansion 'fit for a king' and disgraced royal wants 'top role'

ok.co.uk:

The Duke of York is reportedly focussing his efforts at persuading his brother King Charles to lend him a lavish royal estate as part of the negotiation to vacate his Royal Lodge mansion.The disgraced prince is said to be refusing to leave the palatial 30-bedroom Windsor home, following Charles' recent decision to cut the funds of royal finances.

A source this week told The Mirror that Andrew, 63, has even offered to run some of the most prestigious estates in the Royal Family’s portfolio, including Balmoral Castle, the beloved Aberdeenshire residence the late Queen.The palace insider also claims that the Duke has pleaded with Charles for a "top role" in the running of the monarchy, and that he is "insisting on having a job despite being made to stand down from his duties", particularly after being removed from his home.

They added: "He’s of the opinion that he is still a senior member of the family, despite not being a working royal and deserves to be treated as such. "He is prepared to take on the responsibility of a big role running an estate and still thinks he is far too young to retire." The source clarified: "However, the King certainly has a wildly different view to that of his brother and has told him straight, there is no chance of that happening." The monarch, 74, is rumoured to have resisted all attempts by Andrew - as well as his daughters to ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, Eugenie and Beatrice, who are also understood to have met His Majesty to fight their father’s case.

But despite The King's insistence that he won't be turned, sources close to Andrew appear to believe the prince is preparing to "dig his heels in" after being told to retreat to Royal Lodge.