Prince Andrew is set to enjoy one final Christmas at his long-term Windsor home, Royal Lodge, before beginning his permanent royal exile at Sandringham. The move, which was ordered by King Charles III, has been postponed and is now not expected to be completed until sometime in 2026.
The Logistical Challenge of a Royal Move
The delay is largely due to the immense practicalities involved in relocating the former Duke of York. Packing up his belongings from the ten-bedroom Royal Lodge, his home for over three decades, is described as a 'substantial logistical process'. Furthermore, he must negotiate an early termination of his 75-year lease on the property from the Crown Estate, a complex matter that could potentially involve compensation for the work he has carried out on the estate.
Averting a Festive Awkwardness
This postponement has reportedly been met with relief by the Royal Family. Insiders admitted that having Andrew present on the King's private Norfolk estate during the Christmas period, when senior royals gather, would have been 'suboptimal' and 'quite awkward'. A source confirmed, 'He won't be anywhere near the Big House', referring to the monarch's Sandringham residence. They added that any physical proximity during the festive season would have made his exclusion seem 'even more barbed'.
The choice of Sandringham for Andrew's new home is strategic; as the sovereign's personal estate, his living arrangements can be managed and funded entirely privately. This contrasts with his controversial 'peppercorn rent' deal for Royal Lodge, which was leased from the Crown Estate, the profits of which go to the Treasury.
Broader Context of Royal Finances
The situation has also shed light on similar financial arrangements within the family. It was revealed that Prince Edward also pays a peppercorn rent for his 51-acre Bagshot Park mansion in Surrey. He secured a 150-year lease through his company, Eclipse Nominees Limited, in 2007 after an upfront payment of £5 million.
For now, the Palace will not disclose Andrew's exact new location on the Sandringham estate for security reasons. This move marks the final step in his removal from public royal life, a consequence of his association with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
