King Charles reportedly believes he has "no option" but to provide for his "unstable" brother, Prince Andrew, and intends to "contain" him within the Sandringham estate, according to palace insiders. This dramatic development follows Andrew's expedited removal from the seven-bedroom Royal Lodge in Windsor, which occurred "under the cover of darkness" after the latest release of the Jeffrey Epstein files exposed further damaging details about Andrew's association with the convicted paedophile.
Accelerated Eviction and Relocation Plans
The King felt compelled to "remove him from the public gaze" by hastening Andrew's eviction from his Windsor mansion, as reported by The Times. However, this displacement will not distance Andrew significantly from royal oversight. The disgraced Duke of York has temporarily relocated to Wood Farm on the royal Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
Andrew, aged 65, is anticipated to move permanently to Marsh Farm, a quaint five-bedroom residence nearby currently undergoing renovations, with completion expected before Easter. A palace source disclosed to The Times: "The King feels he has no other option than to provide for his brother, who will be privately funded on a private estate. Every time he's tried to support himself by independent means, it has led to greater trouble. Containing him is the hope."
Financial Struggles and Private Subsidies
Since Andrew was stripped of his military affiliations and royal patronages in October last year, King Charles has been privately subsidising his brother, covering staff salaries, living expenses, and security costs. Royal staff have been informed they are not obligated to work for Andrew if uncomfortable, as reported by The Sun last week.
Despite speculation about substantial inheritance from his mother and proceeds from multi-million-pound property sales, Andrew is reportedly struggling financially. It remains unclear how he has depleted these resources since stepping back from royal duties after his controversial BBC Newsnight interview in 2019.
Notable transactions include the £15 million sale of Sunninghill Park in 2007—a 12-bedroom estate gifted by his mother for his 1986 marriage to Sarah Ferguson—which sold for £3 million above asking price. More recently, he sold a seven-bedroom Swiss ski chalet in Verbier for approximately £17 million, though the net profit remains uncertain due to a £13 million mortgage.
A significant financial drain likely stems from the multimillion-pound out-of-court settlement with Virginia Giuffre, who alleged she was trafficked to Andrew by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at age 17—claims he denies. The Queen and Charles reportedly provided private funds to assist with this settlement.
Public Pressure and Eviction Catalyst
The King, aged 77, was prompted to accelerate Andrew's eviction after being appalled by his brother's daily horse rides around Windsor Great Park, deliberately passing waiting photographers and camera crews, according to a friend. This week, Charles faced public heckling about Andrew during an engagement in Essex.
The friend told The Times: "The King is acutely aware of the public feeling. He doesn’t need to be heckled to understand the mood of the nation. Accelerating him out of Royal Lodge was another nod to show he gets it. A plan made is not the same as a plan enacted, and the King wanted that plan enacted asap."
It was revealed last year that Andrew had not paid rent on Royal Lodge for over two decades. After leasing the property for £1 million in 2003 and spending £7.5 million on renovations, his agreement stipulated only "one peppercorn (if demanded)" of annual rent, according to documents obtained by The Times.
Epstein Files Fallout and Congressional Pressure
Following the Epstein files release, Andrew has faced considerable pressure from both King Charles and Labour leader Keir Starmer to testify before the US Congress regarding his friendship with Epstein and Maxwell. The newly released documents indicate Andrew invited Epstein to Buckingham Palace in September 2010, shortly after Epstein's house arrest and probation for procuring a minor for prostitution.
Additional claims suggest a second woman was trafficked to Andrew, whom he then took for tea at the Palace. Other discoveries include a photograph depicting Andrew leering over a woman on all fours in what appears to be Epstein's New York residence. Andrew has remained publicly silent since the files' disclosure.
Sarah Ferguson's Involvement and Separate Arrangements
Andrew's former wife, Sarah Ferguson, has also faced scrutiny for her connections to Epstein, with messages revealing requests for money and even a jesting "marry me" remark. In a 2010 email, she referenced her daughter Princess Eugenie, then 19, stating: "Just waiting for Eugenie to come back from a shagging weekend!!" Ferguson visited Epstein with her daughters shortly after his release from prison in 2009.
Despite divorcing three decades ago, Ferguson resided with Andrew at Royal Lodge but will not accompany him to Norfolk, instead securing separate accommodation elsewhere in Windsor. The couple was last seen together publicly at the Duchess of Kent's funeral in September.
