Prince Andrew could be spending his next birthday in temporary royal accommodation as part of a plan to accelerate his departure from his long-time Windsor home.
A Temporary Solution at Sandringham
According to reports, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been offered the use of a temporary residence on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk. This move is designed to speed up his relocation from the 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor's Great Park. The King is said to be keen for his brother to have vacated the property by the upcoming Easter period.
The offer of interim housing comes as his intended permanent home, Marsh Farm, also on the Sandringham estate, undergoes significant renovations. These works are understood to include necessary security upgrades before the Duke can take up residence. The King is privately funding his brother's new, more modest lifestyle, with Marsh Farm expected to be substantially smaller than the vast Royal Lodge.
A Long-Standing Royal Dispute
The potential move marks a significant development in a saga that has lasted for over two years. Andrew was initially advised to leave Royal Lodge in 2024 but refused to do so. His position became increasingly untenable following further revelations about his association with the convicted sex offender and financier, Jeffrey Epstein.
This ultimately led to Andrew returning the lease on the property to the Crown Estate. His ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, who also lived at Royal Lodge, is now reportedly searching for a separate home. The couple's strained relations with the rest of the family were highlighted last year when neither received an invitation to the Royal Family's Christmas celebrations at Sandringham.
Implications and Next Steps
The proposed arrangement underscores the monarchy's efforts to resolve a persistent and embarrassing issue. By providing a clear path out of Royal Lodge, the institution aims to draw a line under a chapter that has caused considerable reputational damage.
If Andrew accepts the temporary Sandringham offer, it would facilitate a swift physical exit from Windsor, allowing the Crown Estate to begin the process of deciding the future of the prestigious Royal Lodge. The entire episode illustrates the ongoing restructuring of the working royal family and the personal financial adjustments being made under King Charles's reign.
