The Duke of York is set to leave his long-term home, Royal Lodge, earlier than initially anticipated, with a close friend revealing he is ready to "start afresh". This move follows King Charles's decision to officially strip Andrew of his military titles and royal patronages and order him to leave the Windsor residence in October, a move linked to the Duke's association with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
A New Chapter on the Sandringham Estate
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor will relocate to Marsh Farm, a property on the King's Sandringham estate in Norfolk. However, the farmhouse is currently in a state of disrepair and requires significant renovation to make it habitable. Workers have been spotted on-site this week, where six-foot-high wooden fencing has been erected around the property to ensure privacy and security for its future occupant.
A Palace source confirmed that while wintry weather has not delayed progress, the property "still needs a lot of attention". They emphasised the stark contrast with his current home, noting Marsh Farm is "a lot, lot smaller and less luxurious than Royal Lodge". The Duke is expected to move into a temporary home nearby while the refurbishments, scheduled for completion around Easter, are carried out.
An Early Departure and Separate Paths
The Duke's friend stated that Andrew has decided to expedite his move and will be out of Royal Lodge by the end of January or certainly before his 66th birthday on 19 February. "He's finally decided he needs to get on with his life," the friend said, indicating a desire for a new beginning.
This relocation will also mark a significant personal change, as it signals the end of his unusual living arrangement with his ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York. The pair have continued to live together at the Grade II-listed Royal Lodge since 2008, despite divorcing in 1996. The friend confirmed, "He and Sarah will go their own separate ways for the first time in almost 20 years."
Sarah Ferguson's Next Steps and a History of Reinvention
Sarah Ferguson's future plans are now a subject of speculation. Reports suggest she is looking for a new property to call her own in the Windsor area, wishing to remain close to the community she has been part of for decades. Both of her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, have reportedly offered her accommodation.
Beatrice has allegedly given her mother the use of a converted annexe at her Cotswolds home, while Eugenie has set aside a suite in the seafront mansion she shares with her husband, Jack Brooksbank, in Portugal. Biographer Andrew Lownie, author of a critical biography of the couple, suggested Sarah's ability to recover from scandals hinges on playing the victim, a tactic he claims "plays well in the States". He stated, "She may well pop back because she has this gift for reinventing herself."
As the Duke of York prepares for a more subdued life on a working farm, and the Duchess explores her independent future, the House of York enters a distinctly new and separate phase.
