King Charles Issues Direct Order for Andrew to Vacate Royal Lodge
King Charles has issued a direct command to his brother, former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, requiring him to completely vacate his former Windsor home, Royal Lodge, by this weekend. The monarch accelerated the eviction timeline last month after Andrew was repeatedly named in newly released documents concerning convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Royal aides are now engaged in a frantic race against time to remove every trace of the disgraced ex-royal from the 30-room mansion, where Andrew had resided for over two decades under a peppercorn rent arrangement following a £7.5 million lease signed in 2002.
Staff Burn Belongings in Effort to Erase All Traces
In recent days, removal vans and skips have become a permanent fixture outside the estate as staff clear out remaining possessions, including items from the staff quarters where Andrew was attended to around the clock. Sources reveal that staff have been setting fire to unwanted belongings of their own to ensure no trace remains.
"Andrew was told everything has to be out and absolutely nothing was to be left behind," one source disclosed. "He hasn't been back to collect anything, leaving staff to handle it. Everything must be out by the weekend, and we've been told no trace of the former occupants or staff should remain."
Palace sources have clarified that the burning of furniture and other items on the estate belonged to Andrew's former staff members, not the ex-royal himself.
Royal Lodge Transformed into 'Ghost Town'
The once-bustling Royal Lodge estate now appears largely deserted, with guards no longer staffing the gatehouse at the entrance to Windsor Great Park. Aerial photographs show skips filled to capacity near the rear and front of the property, including outside quarters previously occupied by Andrew's servants.
On Tuesday, one of Andrew's former valets was observed burning belongings, including furniture, on the grounds. The following day, removal men from JDL—a firm specializing in television and film transport that previously worked on Netflix's The Crown—were seen loading items such as a mattress into vans.
"The estate is like a ghost town as so many staff have left and it's now pretty much empty," the source added. "Who knows when it will be done up as lots of building work is needed to bring it up to its former glory, like when the Queen Mother was in residence."
Andrew's Dramatic Fall from Grace
Andrew's eviction from Royal Lodge, along with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson who lived with him rent-free for much of the last twenty years, marks a spectacular fall from grace. The King has stripped away his round-the-clock security, personal allowance, valet services, and taxpayer funding that supported his pampered lifestyle.
After having his titles and honours revoked last October, Andrew was driven 132 miles from Windsor to Sandringham under cover of darkness on February 2 to avoid public attention. He has since taken up temporary residence at Wood Farm on the Norfolk estate, where the late Prince Philip spent his final years.
Despite being granted permission to return to Windsor to collect remaining belongings, Andrew has not revisited Royal Lodge since his departure.
New Accommodation and Ongoing Investigations
In the coming days, Andrew is expected to move into Marsh Farm, a nearby five-bedroom cottage on the Sandringham estate that has undergone extensive renovations. New security fences have been erected, and Sky TV engineers have installed television and broadband services.
Royal sources confirm that King Charles has personally covered the refurbishment costs due to his brother's wrecked finances. A luxury mobile home has also been delivered to Sandringham to accommodate security staff, paid for by the King.
While Andrew will have access to a cook and cleaner at his new home, it remains unclear who will bear these ongoing costs. The former prince was photographed last weekend for the first time since his arrest, walking his dogs with security on the Norfolk estate.
Legal Troubles and Political Pressure
Andrew's eviction coincides with ongoing legal troubles. Thames Valley Police are investigating claims that he committed misconduct in a public office, questioning him for 11 hours about allegations that he shared sensitive information with Epstein during his tenure as a UK trade envoy.
Documents released by the US justice department appear to show emails from Andrew sharing reports on official visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Singapore, as well as a confidential brief on investment opportunities in Afghanistan's Helmand Province reconstruction.
Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing but has not directly addressed these latest allegations. In response to his brother's arrest, King Charles expressed "deepest concern" while stating that "the law must take its course." Buckingham Palace has affirmed that police have the King's "full and wholehearted support and cooperation."
Pressure continues to mount from the United States, where Congressman Jamie Raskin, the leading Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, has called for Andrew to testify about his relationship with Epstein as "some form of service" following his disgrace.
