Prince Andrew is reportedly set to refuse a move to a modest cottage on the Sandringham estate, as he and his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, face leaving their long-term Windsor home. The disgraced royal is said to be looking at options further afield, including the Middle East, while Sarah Ferguson's separate future plans have been revealed.
Rejecting Royal Exile at Sandringham
Following the announcement that King Charles III would formally strip his brother of his royal and military titles, it was confirmed that Andrew and Sarah Ferguson had agreed to vacate their lavish 30-room residence, Royal Lodge in Windsor. The Duke had held an "iron-clad" lease with the Crown Estate, meaning he could not be forcibly evicted and had to agree to depart voluntarily.
Initially expected to move out early in 2026, the timeline for their departure now appears delayed. As part of the arrangement, Andrew has been offered Marsh Farm, a property on the King's private 20,000-acre Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. However, the dwelling is described as a collection of "ramshackle" buildings in need of serious renovation.
Experts believe the former prince will shun this humble offering. Royal biographer Robert Jobson told People magazine he "just can't see him being on an isolated farm in Sandringham." Jobson suggested Andrew, who is "still relatively young," may seek a life of luxury in the Middle East, leveraging connections from his time as a UK trade envoy. He cited the abdicated King Juan Carlos I of Spain's retreat to the region as a precedent for such a move.
Sarah Ferguson's Separate Path Forward
While Andrew's gaze may turn overseas, it has been confirmed that Sarah Ferguson will not be joining him in this next chapter. Instead, the Duchess, who has lived in the Windsor area for decades, is reportedly seeking a new home of her own nearby.
Both of her daughters have offered her accommodation. Princess Eugenie, who owns a seaside mansion in an exclusive area of Portugal, has apparently set aside a "grand suite" for her mother. Princess Beatrice has reportedly offered a converted cattle shed at her Cotswolds home as a "granny annexe" for Fergie.
A source close to the Duchess reminded People that Sarah is a known "fighter", adept at reinventing herself after public controversies. However, biographer Andrew Lownie offered a more critical view to the Mirror, suggesting her pattern is to "play the victim... and then she just goes and repeats the mistakes all over again."
Ongoing Scrutiny and a Dramatic Fall from Grace
The couple's future plans unfold against a backdrop of renewed scrutiny. Both Andrew and Sarah have faced continued questions over their associations with the convicted sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Photographs of both featured in the recent release of the so-called Epstein files during the festive period, though this is not itself evidence of wrongdoing.
Their agreed departure from Royal Lodge marks a dramatic fall from grace for the pair, who have remained close despite divorcing in 1996. The move signifies a decisive step by King Charles to streamline the monarchy and distance the institution from his brother's controversies. Where Andrew chooses to go next, and how Sarah Ferguson carves out her independent future, will be closely watched as this royal saga continues to unfold.
