A removals van was spotted arriving at Royal Lodge in Windsor this morning, signalling the start of the disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's departure from his long-term home. The former Duke of York is preparing to leave the 30-room mansion as part of his effective banishment from the royal fold.
The Staged Move to Norfolk
The ex-prince is expected to first relocate to a temporary property on the King's Sandringham Estate in Norfolk by the end of this month. He will reside there until around Easter, when extensive renovation works at Marsh Farm, his anticipated permanent home on the estate, are scheduled for completion.
Workers have been busy at Marsh Farm in the secluded village of Wolferton, located just two miles from King Charles's Sandringham House. This week, Sky engineers were seen up ladders installing a television service, while a team of at least six labourers worked through cold and rainy conditions. A six-foot wooden privacy fence has replaced the old wire mesh perimeter, and a JCB digger and security lights are also being installed. A local security firm's van was parked on the driveway, underscoring the upgrades being made.
Background of the Royal Lodge Lease
The move brings to a close Andrew's 22-year tenure at Royal Lodge, a period during which he paid no rent under a unique 75-year lease signed in 2003. In return for an £8 million upfront refurbishment of the then-dilapidated property and a promise to maintain it, the Crown Estate allowed him to live there rent-free. A clause in the lease permitted inspections at "all reasonable times," but the Daily Mail revealed that not one official inspection was carried out during his entire stay, raising questions about a 'sweetheart deal' at potential taxpayer expense.
Ongoing Controversy and Fall from Grace
Andrew's relocation is the latest consequence of his association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and the allegations of sexual assault made by Virginia Giuffre, which he denies. After stepping back from public duties in 2019 and settling the civil case with Ms Giuffre, his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, stripped him of his military roles and HRH style in 2022. King Charles went further last October, removing his Duke of York title and princely status, rendering him a commoner known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
The fallout has also affected his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, who has been living with him at Royal Lodge and will now revert to her maiden name. She has faced criticism for past correspondence with Epstein. Meanwhile, Andrew continues to face calls from a US congressional committee to give evidence regarding the Epstein case.
His new home at Marsh Farm lies near the King's Wood Farm, where Prince Philip lived after retirement. Reports suggest Andrew initially wanted to live at Wood Farm but concerns were raised about it being 'too close' to other family members. The property now lies within an extended Sandringham no-fly zone.
