Disgraced former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is reportedly employing a deliberate strategy of delay as he faces eviction from his Windsor home, Royal Lodge, on the orders of his brother, King Charles III. A royal expert now suggests the Duke of York may not vacate the 30-room mansion until February 2026 at the earliest, despite being formally served notice to leave.
The Strategy Behind the Stalling
Royal commentator Robert Jobson has told Hello! Magazine that Andrew is "kicking his heels" and has made it clear to the King and palace officials "that he is going nowhere fast." While the King has invited close family to Sandringham for Christmas, it is believed Andrew will remain at Royal Lodge, avoiding potential awkward encounters on the Norfolk estate.
"Despite formal notice being served in October to surrender his Royal Lodge lease, he won't budge until February at the earliest," Jobson stated. He characterised Andrew's approach as "delay as strategy," asking rhetorically, "Why rush to your own diminishment?"
Logistical Hurdles and Legal Standing
Official sources cite significant logistical challenges as a primary reason for the postponed move. Downsizing two decades of accumulated belongings from a 30-room mansion into a more modest cottage on the Sandringham estate is described as a complex undertaking. Furthermore, it is understood that Andrew's new property is not yet ready for occupancy.
However, understanding does not equate to sympathy from the Palace. Insiders suggest Andrew is "leaning on every technical step available" to slow the process. Legally, the former prince is entitled to remain at Royal Lodge until October 2026. He served a "Tenant’s Notice offering to Surrender the Lease" to The Crown Estate on 30 October 2025, triggering a mandatory 12-month notice period as per the lease terms.
Financial and Titular Consequences
During this notice period, Andrew remains financially responsible for all maintenance and repair costs for the vast Windsor property. This liability will only transfer back to The Crown Estate once he physically hands over the keys.
This protracted eviction follows the King's decisive action at the end of October, where he officially stripped his brother of his HRH style and prince title, and removed his dukedom from the Roll of the Peerage. This historic demotion was a direct response to Andrew's "serious lapses" of judgment, further exposed by the release of documents from Jeffrey Epstein's estate and a posthumous memoir from accuser Virginia Giuffre. Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The coming months will reveal whether Andrew's strategy of delay will see him holding onto his royal residence longer than initially anticipated, as the monarchy continues to distance itself from the scandal.
