In a striking display of his lingering royal connections, the disgraced Duke of York was seen enjoying a carefree outing in Windsor just as his prized possessions were being removed from his home by a firm bearing a Royal Warrant.
A Carefree Duke Amidst the Eviction Chaos
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, 65, appeared remarkably untroubled as he was spotted driving his Range Rover and enjoying a horse ride near Windsor Great Park. This relaxed demeanour came just a day after the significant operation to clear his 31-room mansion, Royal Lodge, had begun. He was even seen stopping to share a laugh and a joke with dog walkers, seemingly unburdened by the high-profile move forced upon him.
The Mirror can exclusively reveal that the removal company tasked with carting off his belongings, including precious art, holds a prestigious Royal Warrant. This detail underscores the paradox of his current status: while officially stripped of his military affiliations and royal patronages, and no longer using the title 'His Royal Highness' in an official capacity, elements of the royal treatment persist. A source noted, “He may not be a royal in any official sense any more, but he can’t seem to leave that world behind. Even moving his belongings comes with a royal crest attached.”
The Royal Warrant Move and Secure Storage
The removal van was seen departing the Windsor estate on Friday, 17th January 2026, marking the start of Andrew's transition from Royal Lodge. His destination is the considerably more modest Marsh Farm, a property on his brother King Charles's Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
His valuables are now understood to be housed in a secure, guarded warehouse in South London. The items are protected by 24-hour security, ensuring the safety of the former prince's assets during the interim period.
The Looming Shadow of Epstein Files
This personal upheaval for Andrew occurs against a tense backdrop. In the United States, the Department of Justice is conducting a massive review of millions of files connected to the late convicted paedophile, Jeffrey Epstein, Andrew's former associate.
The DOJ has assigned over 500 personnel, including hundreds of prosecutors from the Southern District of New York and the Criminal Division, to this enormous task. Officials stated they are reviewing and redacting "millions of pages of materials" to protect victim privacy before public release. They have described the process as "resource-intensive" and requiring "around-the-clock attention," but have given no firm timeline for when all documents will be made public.
This follows a file dump of more than 12,000 documents last month, which contained previously unseen photos of Epstein with various high-profile figures, including Andrew, Bill Clinton, Mick Jagger, and Michael Jackson. Andrew has consistently and vehemently denied all allegations made against him in relation to Epstein.
The juxtaposition is stark: as Andrew settles into a quieter life at Sandringham, the potential for further revelations from the Epstein case continues to loom large, ensuring his past remains firmly in the public eye.
