The Duke of York, Prince Andrew, is reportedly attempting to delay his move from the Royal Lodge in Windsor for as long as possible, as preparations for his new home on the King's Sandringham estate face significant hold-ups.
Renovations and Lease Complexities Cause Delay
Sources close to the former prince indicate he is determined to "string out" his departure from the 30-room Windsor mansion. The planned move to a smaller property, believed to be Marsh Farm on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, has been complicated by necessary renovations which are not yet complete. Furthermore, there are said to be legal complexities in terminating his lease for Royal Lodge.
It was initially expected that Andrew would relocate in the New Year, following the Royal Family's traditional Christmas celebrations at Sandringham. However, with the new accommodation unprepared, the timeline has been pushed back. Andrew has reportedly refused to move into temporary housing in the interim, choosing instead to remain at Royal Lodge.
A Reluctant Departure from Windsor
Royal commentators suggest Andrew's reluctance to leave is the primary driver behind the delay. Royal expert Phil Dampier stated, "The reality is that he will drag it out as long as possible because he doesn’t actually want to leave. I think it’s quite likely he will be there for another six months."
A source told the Express, "He never wanted to leave so he’s going to do all he can to stay for as long as possible." This stance comes after King Charles III officially stripped his brother of his HRH style, prince title, and dukedom at the end of October, following serious lapses in judgment linked to his association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Legal Limits and a Isolated Christmas
Despite the King's wishes, there appear to be limits to how quickly he can compel his brother to vacate Royal Lodge. Official documents from the Crown Estate reveal that Andrew gave the minimum 12 months' notice to surrender the property on 30 October 2025, the day he lost his titles. This legal notice period means he could technically remain in residence until October 2026.
The familial rift was visibly underscored over the Christmas period. While the wider Royal Family, including Andrew's daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, gathered at Sandringham, the former Duke of York spent the festive season 140 miles away at Royal Lodge. He was spotted driving near his Windsor home on Christmas Day, while his daughters attended church in Norfolk with the King and Queen.
The move to evict Andrew from Royal Lodge followed the publication of damaging documents from the Epstein estate and a posthumous memoir by his accuser, Virginia Giuffre. Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
