In a striking display of defiance, the disgraced former Prince Andrew has been photographed wearing a Grenadier Guards jumper while driving through Windsor, despite having been formally stripped of his honorary colonel title with the regiment. The burgundy sweatshirt prominently featured the emblem of the prestigious military unit, which Andrew had once led with pride before his dramatic fall from grace.
A Symbolic Gesture Amid Royal Exile
The sighting comes at a particularly turbulent time for Andrew, who faces imminent eviction from his current Windsor residence, Royal Lodge, and relocation to a significantly smaller property on the Sandringham estate. This move represents the latest chapter in his ongoing marginalisation from royal life, following a series of damaging controversies and legal settlements.
The Grenadier Guards Connection
Andrew's connection to the Grenadier Guards dates back to 2022, when he assumed the honorary colonel role previously held by his late father, Prince Philip. However, this appointment proved short-lived, lasting merely four years before being abruptly revoked. The title was returned to the late Queen Elizabeth II as part of a comprehensive stripping of Andrew's royal patronages and military affiliations.
This demotion occurred in the wake of serious allegations made by Virginia Giuffre, who filed a civil lawsuit accusing Andrew of sexual abuse during her teenage years. Although the case never proceeded to trial following a substantial £12 million settlement, the damage to Andrew's reputation proved irreversible. The former prince has consistently denied all allegations against him.
Complete Removal of Royal Privileges
King Charles III took decisive action at the end of October, formally removing Andrew's HRH style and prince title while simultaneously striking his dukedom from the Roll of the Peerage. This unprecedented move was justified by what palace officials described as "serious lapses" in judgment, particularly concerning Andrew's association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Compromising evidence emerged showing Andrew had emailed Epstein in 2011 with the message "we're in this together," directly contradicting his previous claims of having severed all contact with the disgraced financier months earlier. This revelation followed the publication of a posthumous memoir by Andrew's accuser and the release of documents from Epstein's estate by US authorities.
Impending Relocation and Emotional State
Andrew currently resides at the 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor, where he has been living with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson. However, this arrangement is set to change dramatically as preparations advance for his relocation to Marsh Farm, a property on the King's private Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
Recent activity suggests the move could be imminent, with engineers spotted installing Sky TV and broadband at the Norfolk property while removal vans were simultaneously observed at Royal Lodge. Sources indicate the transition might be completed by the end of the month, though Buckingham Palace has declined to confirm whether Marsh Farm will indeed become Andrew's new residence.
Concerns About Wellbeing
Friends have expressed growing concern about Andrew's emotional state, describing him as "fragile" amid the upheaval of losing his home, titles, and public standing. The psychological impact of this comprehensive demotion appears significant, with the Grenadier Guards jumper perhaps representing a nostalgic connection to better times.
Notably, Andrew will make the move to his reduced circumstances alone, as Sarah Ferguson has decided not to accompany him to the Sandringham property. The Marsh Farm residence, located approximately seven miles from the main Sandringham House, falls within an extended no-fly zone over the royal estate and is reportedly undergoing substantial renovations to its main reception rooms and kitchen.
This combination of public humiliation, residential downgrade, and social isolation creates a challenging environment for the former prince as he navigates what many observers describe as his "final days" in proper royal accommodation before beginning a more secluded existence far from the public eye.
