A pest control van from a company holding a Royal Warrant has been photographed entering the Norfolk property where Prince Andrew is due to relocate, sparking speculation about preparations at his new residence.
Preparations at Marsh Farm
A vehicle from Command Pest Control was seen driving into Marsh Farm in Wolferton on the Sandringham estate this morning. The company specialises in the humane removal of rodents like rats and mice, as well as squirrels and wasp nests. Its arrival coincides with workmen readying the farmhouse for the former Duke of York's arrival.
It remains unclear what specific service the firm was providing. However, their website notes that January can be a problematic time for rats, who seek warmth inside buildings during cold spells, often being heard in roof spaces and cavity walls. Mice are also known to scavenge for shelter within properties.
The Royal Rodent Problem
The sighting highlights an ongoing issue on the royal estate. Tenants living in King Charles's properties on the Sandringham estate are prohibited from keeping cats. This ban is understood to have been instituted by the late Queen Elizabeth II over concerns that cats would prey on game bird chicks bred on the grounds.
This absence of feline predators means mice and rats are common in the area. Just two years ago, the nearby village of Flitcham, only two miles from Sandringham House, experienced a rat infestation that prompted villagers to appeal to the Monarch for help.
The royal family has a long history of battling rodents, with efforts to eliminate them from Buckingham Palace dating back to Queen Victoria's reign. Queen Elizabeth II herself had to hire exterminators as recently as 2019 to tackle vermin in the palace.
A Reluctant Move for Andrew
The pest control visit comes on the same day Andrew was spotted riding near his soon-to-be-former home, Royal Lodge in Windsor, which he has occupied for 22 years. He is being compelled to vacate the mansion and move to the more modest Marsh Farm.
A royal insider stated that the former Duke now begrudgingly 'accepts' he must move out. He was reportedly never keen on the move to Norfolk but has become 'sanguine' about it, provided he has access to Sky TV, fast broadband, horses, and a good local golf course.
In contrast, his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, with whom he shared Royal Lodge, is said to be 'beside herself' about being forced to leave. This distress is causing concern among their daughters and their dwindling circle of friends.
The move follows a period of intense scandal for Andrew, linked to his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a further personal blow, it was recently reported that his daughter, Princess Eugenie, has cut off all contact with him in the wake of the scandal.
Described by sources as having become something of a 'couch potato' in his mid-sixties, Andrew's impending relocation to Sandringham marks a significant downsize and a stark change from his formerly jet-setting lifestyle.
