Royal Relocation: Andrew Moves to Sandringham Estate Amid Epstein Controversy
The former Prince Andrew has vacated his long-standing residence on crown-owned land near Windsor Castle ahead of schedule, following renewed scrutiny prompted by the latest document release from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation in the United States. This development has once again brought attention to his association with the convicted sex offender, creating significant royal and public relations challenges.
Accelerated Departure from Royal Lodge
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the 65-year-old brother of King Charles III, departed from Royal Lodge in Windsor on Monday, relocating to the monarch's private Sandringham estate in eastern England. According to sources familiar with the situation, this move occurred earlier than initially anticipated, with British media reporting that he will reside temporarily at Wood Farm Cottage while awaiting repairs to his permanent home on the estate.
The relocation to Sandringham was originally announced in October, coinciding with King Charles stripping Andrew of his royal titles amid ongoing revelations about his connections to Epstein. However, the former prince was expected to remain at Royal Lodge, where he had lived for over two decades, until springtime. The expedited departure appears directly linked to escalating pressures and new allegations.
New Allegations and Police Investigation
Thames Valley Police have confirmed they are investigating claims that Epstein arranged for a second woman to be flown to Britain to engage in sexual activities with Andrew. A lawyer representing the alleged victim informed the BBC that this encounter allegedly took place in 2010 at Royal Lodge itself.
These allegations are distinct from those previously made by Virginia Giuffre, who asserted she was trafficked to Britain to have sex with Andrew in 2001 when she was seventeen years old. Tragically, Giuffre died by suicide last year. Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing regarding his relationship with Epstein and has not publicly addressed this latest trafficking allegation.
Epstein Documents and Royal Correspondence
Mountbatten-Windsor appears multiple times within the three million pages of documents recently released by the U.S. Department of Justice. Among these records are correspondences between Epstein and an individual believed to be Andrew, where Epstein offers to arrange a date with a 26-year-old Russian woman. The correspondent, signing off simply as "A," later suggests dining together in London, either at a restaurant or Buckingham Palace.
Royal Lodge: A Point of Contention
The former prince's occupancy of Royal Lodge has long been a source of tension between the king and his brother. Following Charles's accession to the throne in 2022, efforts were made to persuade Andrew to move into a smaller residence within the Windsor Castle estate. Andrew resisted, citing a lease on the property valid until 2078.
However, mounting pressure from both lawmakers and the public regarding the favourable terms of Andrew's lease on the 30-room mansion and its surrounding grounds, managed by the Crown Estate, made his position increasingly untenable. The Crown Estate oversees properties across the nation that are technically owned by the monarchy but administered for the benefit of British taxpayers. In contrast, the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk remains the personal property of the king, offering a more private and controlled environment.
This relocation marks a significant chapter in the ongoing saga surrounding the royal family's handling of the Epstein scandal, highlighting the complex interplay between personal conduct, public perception, and institutional management within the monarchy.
