The Duke of York is set to delay his move from Royal Lodge to the Sandringham Estate until February, according to royal sources. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, 65, was given formal notice in October to surrender the lease on his 30-room Windsor mansion and relocate to a more modest cottage on his brother King Charles III's private Norfolk estate.
Royal author Robert Jobson told HELLO! that the disgraced former prince is 'kicking his heels' and making clear he is 'going nowhere fast'. Despite serving notice, he is expected to remain at Royal Lodge through Christmas, while the King hosts other close family members at Sandringham. The delay is attributed to the logistical challenge of moving two decades of accumulated belongings from 30 rooms into a smaller property, which is not yet ready for occupation.
An end-of-tenancy inspection on 12 November revealed significant dilapidation at Royal Lodge, including damp, peeling paint, and crumbling brickwork. The Crown Estate indicated that the extent of repairs required will likely mean Andrew receives no compensation for early surrender of the lease, which he could have held until October 2026. A full assessment by a dilapidation expert is pending.
Jobson suggested the delay may be strategic, with Andrew 'leaning on every technical step available' to slow the process. However, the King is said to benefit from the timing, as Andrew's presence at Windsor avoids potential awkwardness during the Sandringham Christmas gathering. His daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, are still expected to join the royal family for traditional festivities.
