Preparations for Prince Andrew's move to a new home on the King's Sandringham Estate are now in full swing, with workers spotted installing satellite television and significant new security measures at the property.
Security and Modernisation Works Underway
This week, despite cold and rainy conditions, a team of at least six workmen has been busy at Marsh Farm in the secluded Norfolk village of Wolferton. The activity marks a clear effort to make the previously run-down farmhouse habitable for the former Duke of York. Sky engineers were seen on ladders against the red brick walls, presumably installing a television service for the incoming resident.
Perhaps the most visible change is the replacement of a flimsy wire fence with a solid, six-foot-high wooden barricade around parts of the perimeter, dramatically reducing the view of the property from the road. Workmen have also been using a JCB digger and installing new security lights on the walls. A van from a local security firm was present on the gravel driveway, underscoring the focus on safety.
A Downsize from Royal Lodge
The move to Marsh Farm represents a significant downsize for Andrew. A palace insider confirmed the property is "a lot, lot smaller and less luxurious than Royal Lodge," his 30-room Windsor home for the past two decades. Andrew handed back the lease to Royal Lodge in October following a long period of negotiation.
He is expected to first move into a temporary, smaller property on the King's Norfolk estate as early as the end of this month, before transitioning to Marsh Farm around Easter when renovations are scheduled for completion. The farmhouse and its outbuildings had belonged to a former tenant who died some time ago, requiring considerable work to modernise.
Background and Scrutiny of Previous Deal
The relocation comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Andrew's tenure at Royal Lodge. It was recently revealed that not a single official inspection was carried out on the property during the 22 years he lived there rent-free, despite the terms of his lease. Andrew had paid a reported £8 million to refurbish the then-dilapidated Royal Lodge in 2003 in lieu of rent.
Andrew has reportedly expressed a desire to live at the nearby Wood Farm, where his father Prince Philip retired, but concerns were raised that this would place him "too close" to other members of the Royal Family. The security enhancements and newly established no-fly zone over Marsh Farm reflect the ongoing considerations surrounding his residence.
Andrew's former wife, Sarah Ferguson, who has lived with him at Royal Lodge since 2008, will not be moving to Norfolk with him. She is reportedly seeking her own property, potentially a 'granny annexe' in the Cotswolds or a move to Portugal.
