In a significant development within the ongoing royal controversies, Prince Andrew has officially departed his long-term residence at Royal Lodge in Windsor. According to sources speaking to PA Media, the former prince left the property on Monday night and is now residing on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. This move comes as his intended permanent home, Marsh Farm, undergoes necessary renovations and is not yet fully prepared for occupancy.
Formal Notice Served on Royal Lodge Lease
The relocation follows a formal notice served in October to surrender the lease on the 30-room Royal Lodge, a Grade II listed property within Windsor Great Park. Buckingham Palace had previously announced that Andrew would vacate the premises "as soon as possible and practicable." This decision was precipitated by the severe fallout from his association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the subsequent stripping of his royal titles and military affiliations by King Charles III last year.
Epstein Document Release Intensifies Scrutiny
The timing of Andrew's move coincides with the latest tranche of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein released by the US Department of Justice. These files feature numerous references to the former prince, including images that appear to depict him crouched over an unidentified woman within Epstein's New York mansion. Further documents suggest Epstein introduced Andrew to a woman he described as "26, Russian, clevere (sic) beautiful, trustworthy."
Andrew has consistently and vehemently denied any wrongdoing. In 2022, he settled a civil sexual assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre, paying millions of pounds while maintaining he had never met his accuser. The posthumous publication of a book by Ms. Giuffre ultimately led to the King's decision to remove his brother's royal titles.
Royal Family Breaks Silence on Controversy
In the first public comments from a senior royal since the latest document release, Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, addressed the matter while attending the World Governments Summit in Dubai. When asked by a CNN journalist how he was coping, Edward responded, "Well, with the best will in the world, I'm not sure this is the audience that is the least bit interested in that."
He emphasised a crucial point, stating, "I think it's all really important, always, to remember the victims and who are the victims in all this." This marks a rare instance of a working royal directly acknowledging the scandal and its human cost.
New Police Investigation Launched
Separately, Thames Valley Police have confirmed they are reviewing new allegations concerning the former prince. US lawyers claim a young, non-British woman was sent for a sexual encounter with Andrew at Royal Lodge in 2010. It is further alleged that this woman was later given a tour of Buckingham Palace.
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police stated, "We are aware of reports about a woman said to have been taken to an address in Windsor in 2010 for sexual purposes. We are assessing the information in line with our established procedures. We take any reports of sexual crimes extremely seriously and encourage anyone with information to come forward."
Transition Period and Future Plans
Andrew is expected to complete his move into the Marsh Farm property on the Sandringham Estate by the start of April. In the interim, he is anticipated to return to Windsor over the coming weeks to collect his remaining personal belongings. His permanent base will now shift from Berkshire to Norfolk.
The former prince was last seen riding on horseback in Windsor on Monday, shortly before being photographed driving away from Windsor Castle, waving to passers-by. This public appearance preceded his departure from Royal Lodge, marking the end of an era for his residence there and the beginning of a new, more secluded chapter on the Sandringham Estate.
