King Charles offers up new job role - and it could be 'perfect' lifeline for Andrew

The Duke of York has kept a low-profile since his car-crash Newsnight interview in 2019 - but a royal commentator has suggested a tongue-in-cheek way for his to return to the royal fold

It's been more than two years since the late Queen stripped Prince Andrew of his HRH title. But one royal commentator has suggested there is a way back into the fold for the Duke - although not in the way royal fans might think.

Andrew has kept a low-profile since his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. And he is said to have further clashed with his older brother King Charles over his reported refusal to vacate Royal Lodge in favour of a smaller property. Frogmore Cottage has been suggested as a more appropriate residence over the sprawling 30-room Lodge.

Now, the Daily Mail's Richard Eden has joked that Andrew could consider a job working for his sibling - one that perfectly matches his expertise.

The job in question is a helicopter pilot who would enjoy a "competitive" salary and be responsible for flying members of the Royal Family around the UK for official engagements. Prince Andrew has previous experience in this area, having served as a helicopter pilot and warship captain during the Falklands War aboard the HMS Invincible.

According to the Royal Household website, they are seeking an "experienced multi-engine helicopter commander" who could serve as either the main pilot or co-pilot. The ad reads: "The King's Helicopter Flight (TKHF) consists of a small team of pilots and ground support staff who provide an exceptional helicopter travel service to Members of the Royal Family undertaking official engagements across the UK."

Alongside the technical requirements, including "extensive flying experience in multi-engine helicopters", the successful candidate will also need to show "high levels of initiative, pro-activity and problem-solving capability".

It follows reports that Andrew has been told if he can't find £2million to carry out repairs at Royal Lodge, he will need to leave the property.

The 64-year-old is said to have fallen foul of the Crown Estate's lease rules which say that repairs must be made to the property in regular intervals. A source said Andrew will have until the end of this year to prove he has the financial resources to refurbish the Grade II listed house in Windsor Great Park in Berkshire or he will be evicted.

This is said to be "the closest Andrew has come to being evicted" since stepping down as a working royal two years ago, it has been claimed. The source added that the Duke was sent "into a spin" after his brother, King Charles, decided to pull all private funding, including a 10-man security team that will leave the property this month.

"Andrew has been asked to prove that he has the financial resources in place to conduct the necessary repairs to Royal Lodge," the source told the Express . "If he is unable to do that by the end of the year, formal discussions will be held with the Crown Estate about how best to move forward. It's the closest Andrew has come to being evicted since he was asked to step down as a working royal two years ago." The Duke is understood to have a lease with the Crown Estate to remain in the £30million home until 2078.