Prince Andrew has been forced to leave his former home, Royal Lodge, and relocate to Marsh Farm on the Sandringham estate, following pressure over his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The move, which took place on 2 February 2026, marks a significant downgrade in his living arrangements and a further restriction on his access to royal residences.
Royal Lodge, a 30-room mansion on a 98-acre estate in Windsor Great Park, had been Andrew's home since 2004, when he was granted a lease by the Crown Estate. The property was previously occupied by the Queen Mother from 1952 until her death in 2002. Prince Harry, in his memoir Spare, described the lodge as 'another world', with 'dizzyingly high ceilings' and a 'pebbled driveway winding serenely through vivid gardens'.
The Grade-II listed property also featured a life-sized playhouse, gifted to the late Queen Elizabeth II by the people of Wales in 1932. Princess Beatrice spoke about the playhouse in a 2012 documentary, calling it 'the most glamorous wendy house ever', which had been renovated with new thatching, curtains, and wiring.
Buckingham Palace issued a statement confirming the lease surrender: 'His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation. These censures are deemed necessary, even though he continues to deny the allegations against him.'
Weeks after the move, Royal Lodge was subjected to a police search following Andrew's arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The disgraced royal now faces a more secluded existence at Marsh Farm, with heightened security but significantly reduced privileges.
