King Charles breaks cover as fresh row with Prince Andrew looms over one issue

King Charles appeared in high spirits as he stepped out to go to church this morning.

King Charles spotted as a row over Royal Lodge could erupt

King Charles has been snapped leaving Sunday Service in Gloucestershire as reports suggest a row could erupt with Prince Andrew over the “crumbling” state of the duke’s Royal Lodge.

New pictures show that Royal Lodge – where the disgraced Duke of York lives with his ex wife Sarah Ferguson is worsening – with cracks to the brickwork and peeling paint.

Prince Andrew was reportedly told last year to leave the 30-room property by the King but he did not move as it was believed he’d made a deal to stay if he kept up repairs.

But there were claims Andrew, 64, could not meet the £400,000-a-year upkeep of the 19th century, Grade II-listed property.

A source said The Duke of York “has a clear responsibility for the upkeep of the Royal Lodge ” adding that it’s “certainly not happening” reports the Daily Mirror.

Windsor Horse Show

Prince Andrew still lives at Royal Lodge with ex wife Sarah Ferguson (Image: Getty)

They added: “The state of the residence will be of great concern to the King after everything that has gone on and been discussed in regards to the house.

“Prince Andrew was told he must take charge of the necessary renovations or he will have no cause to stay in the house. There is no doubt the King will be alarmed at the true state of the residence after the duke assured him everything was in hand.”

It is understood any attempts to evict him Prince Andrew would be difficult.

This is because he has lived at the property for 20 years and signed a 75-year lease on it after agreeing to maintain it and paying £250 a week.

Friends of Andrew say he has invested more than £7.5m into repairing and renovating the property and made an interim payment of £200,000 for roof repairs last summer.

Charles’s trip to church has followed a busy week which marked his return to public engagements since he was diagnosed with cancer.

Last week, along with Queen Camilla, 76, he visited the Macmillan Cancer Centre at University College Hospital in London.

The King also attended the Royal Windsor Horse Show. And the royal calendar is filling up – with the monarch reportedly wanting to travel to Normandy on June 6 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

Next week it’s been reported that Prince Harry will be paying his father a visit when he touches down in the UK to attend a ceremony on Wednesday, May 8, at St Paul’s Cathedral marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.