The Duke of York, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, is preparing for a significant downsizing move from his expansive Windsor home to a much smaller property on the royal Sandringham Estate, with a clear personal priority already established for his new residence.
A Substantial Step Down in Scale
The former prince is expected to relocate from the 30-room Royal Lodge to Marsh Farm, a five-bedroom converted farmhouse in Norfolk, by Easter 2026. Royal commentator Richard Kay has described this shift as a "heck of a step-down" in terms of space and grandeur. The move is being orchestrated under the instruction of his brother, King Charles III, who has insisted Andrew vacate the Windsor property by the first week of April, despite a lease that runs until October.
Comfort and Convenience Take Centre Stage
As builders and tradesmen work to refurbish the previously unoccupied Marsh Farm, Andrew's focus on personal leisure has become apparent. Workmen have been observed installing a satellite dish at the property, a detail that insiders link directly to the Duke's well-known love of television. Richard Kay, speaking on the Palace Confidential podcast, connected this to Andrew's pastimes at Royal Lodge, where he would spend hours watching aircraft movements from Heathrow Airport on an interactive system. It is anticipated a similar setup will be replicated at his new Norfolk home.
The renovation of Marsh Farm, which is funded from the King's private finances, includes a new kitchen, enhanced perimeter fencing, and a state-of-the-art CCTV security system. The property belongs to the monarch through the private Sandringham Estate.
A Complex Move Hampered by Belongings
The transition is not straightforward, primarily due to the vast quantity of possessions Andrew has accumulated at Royal Lodge. Described by sources as a "natural hoarder," his extensive collections are turning the move into a protracted, room-by-room excavation. A removal lorry has already transported some items under cover of darkness, but a significant portion is destined for long-term storage, as the new house is simply too small to accommodate everything.
A royal source told the Daily Mail: "Andrew is going to a shoebox-sized house, compared to Royal Lodge, so a lot of the things that were taken are going into a storage unit. These aren't the kind of belongings you can sweep into a skip. Even if Andrew wanted to move tomorrow, he couldn't." The process is expected to continue for months.
Andrew originally secured a 75-year lease on Royal Lodge in 2003 for a £1 million upfront payment and invested considerable sums in its renovation. That lease included a controversial "peppercorn rent" clause, requiring only a token annual payment. Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on the current relocation, stating that Mountbatten-Windsor is now a "private citizen."
