The Queen wanted to kick Prince Harry and Meghan Markle out Frogmore Cottage and move Prince Andrew in before her death, according to an author’s new bombshell claim.

In a new book by royal author Robert Hardman, it was claimed the late Queen had plans to move the Duke of York out of Royal Lodge – a sprawling 30-room mansion in Windsor Great Park. The plan would have seen Prince Harry and Meghan Markle booted out of Frogmore Cottage to make room for Andrew, 64, who was also described in the book as a “bully”.

Citing an insider source, Mr Hardman said: “‘Had she lived another year, he would have been out’ a former adviser to Elizabeth II said. “‘It was her plan to move him out, to end the lease for the Sussexes at Frogmore Cottage and to move Andrew in there. It was mainly a money thing, as she could see it was becoming unsustainable.'”

The writer also claimed in the book, published in the Daily Mail, the Queen’s staff were “more than happy to make it happen”. When Andrew’s rooms were taken over in Buckingham Palace, a member of staff said: “‘No one felt guilty about taking over his office because he and his people had become bullies by the end.'”

It comes after reports that the King financially cut off Andrew after months of urging by advisors, causing their relationship to dip to a new low. The royal pair were said to have been at loggerheads for months as the monarch wanted his younger brother to leave Royal Lodge.

The King is ultimately responsible for all of the royal household’s finances, and it was previously reported he could soon struggle to meet the extortionate annual upkeep costs of his brother’s Grade II-listed property.

Mr Hardman also claimed in his book that the keeper of the privy purse was “instructed to sever his living allowance” after reports that Andrew had refused to leave the Royal Lodge and relocate to the nearby, and much smaller, Frogmore Cottage.

The duke is believed to have signed a 75-lease on the Royal Lodge. Mr Hardman writes: “‘The duke is no longer a financial burden on the King,’ confirms one familiar with the situation. ‘He claims to have found other sources of income related to his contacts in international trade, sufficient to cover all his costs – which would be a welcome outcome for all parties if that turns out to be the case.

“‘But as to whether this funding can be relied upon in the long term is another matter.'”