Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince Andrew, is set to be removed from his long-term home at Royal Lodge within the next four weeks, according to sources familiar with the matter. This marks a significant development in the ongoing fallout from his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The Final Countdown at Royal Lodge
The disgraced royal is expected to vacate the 30-room mansion on the Windsor Estate before his 66th birthday on February 19. This move follows his agreement to hand back the tenancy last year, when he was stripped of his military affiliations and royal patronages and asked not to use his 'His Royal Highness' style in an official capacity. He was permitted to remain at the property over the Christmas period, which ensured his separation from senior royals gathering at Sandringham.
Preparations for his relocation are now in full swing. His new residence will be Marsh Farm, a collection of outbuildings on the King's Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. The property, which had stood empty and neglected for several years, is currently undergoing extensive renovations to make it habitable.
Downgrade to Marsh Farm
Insiders describe the new accommodation as a stark contrast to the opulent Royal Lodge. "One thing for sure is that it is a lot, lot smaller and less luxurious than Royal Lodge," a source stated. Work has continued despite winter weather, with a digger spotted on the front lawn and electricians busy inside. Six-foot wooden fences have been erected around the perimeter to secure the dilapidated farm and ensure privacy.
Additional security measures, including CCTV, are being installed, and new doors were seen ready for fitting. While renovations are completed, it is anticipated Andrew will move into a temporary home on the Sandringham Estate within the month. The permanent move to Marsh Farm represents a dramatic downsizing for the former Duke of York.
Separate Lives and Lasting Scandal
This eviction is the latest consequence of the scandal surrounding Andrew's friendship with the late financier and convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The controversy also ensnared his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, who was dropped by several charities after an email emerged in which she called Epstein a "supreme friend."
The couple, who have lived together at Royal Lodge for nearly two decades despite their divorce, are now expected to go their separate ways. A source explained, "He and Sarah will go their own separate ways for the first time in almost 20 years. Apart from involvement with the children and grandchildren, they will live separate lives."
This physical removal from a royal palace to a modest farmhouse underscores Andrew's profound fall from grace and his effective banishment from the inner circle of the Royal Family.
