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The long-running saga surrounding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s residency at Royal Lodge has finally reached its conclusion. After more than two decades, Andrew, who once held the titles Duke of York and prince, departed Windsor under cover of night, with removal trucks quietly transporting his belongings to Norfolk. This marked not only the end of his occupancy but also his relinquishment of royal titles and the life he shared with his former wife, Sarah Ferguson.
The announcement of Andrew’s forthcoming move was made public in October, indicating that he would vacate the expansive 30-room Royal Lodge and relocate to Sandringham in the early part of the year. However, the actual departure was accelerated amid intense public scrutiny linked to revelations from the Epstein case, placing Andrew and his ex-wife under a harsh spotlight. The hurried nature of the move meant that Andrew was unable to retrieve all of his possessions at once, necessitating a return trip to collect remaining items.
In recent weeks, Andrew had been seen riding horseback around Windsor and greeting onlookers from his car, behaviors widely viewed as insensitive given the controversies enveloping him. With the move to Sandringham, these public displays will cease. Initially, he will reside temporarily at Wood Farm on the estate before settling into a permanent residence, with all expenses covered privately by the King rather than public funds. This arrangement is intended to keep Andrew within supervised confines without fully ostracizing him, thereby preventing potential reliance on questionable financial backers.
Buckingham Palace has reiterated its focus on the victims of Epstein’s crimes, highlighting Queen Camilla’s active campaigning against violence towards women and girls. Meanwhile, palace insiders have expressed frustration over how Andrew’s scandals have overshadowed other royal engagements, describing the situation as a persistent “running sore.” The removal from Royal Lodge also holds symbolic weight, as the property’s grandeur had come to symbolize unwelcome privilege and entitlement in the eyes of the public. Andrew’s substantial personal investment of over £8 million in the lease is now effectively lost, with his financial backing cut off last year, stripping him of both independence and security.
This move also ends the almost two-decade-long cohabitation arrangement with Sarah Ferguson, who will not be joining Andrew in Norfolk. Despite their divorce, the couple had maintained a close relationship, as Ferguson herself put it: “We’re divorced to each other, not from each other.” Together, they raised their family at Royal Lodge, where Ferguson rebuilt her career multiple times, earning her the nickname “Houdini” within the Royal Family.
The Epstein-related documents have revealed emails regarding Andrew that, while less sensational than other aspects involving sex and money, could be significant in the long run. These communications show that U.S. authorities made concerted efforts to compel Andrew to testify about Epstein, including formal requests to the UK Home Office after voluntary cooperation attempts failed—a prospect that poses a serious concern for both the Palace and Andrew’s legal team.
At present, Andrew’s transition to Sandringham reflects the Palace’s desire to manage the situation discreetly, balancing a duty of care with the hope that he remains out of the public eye. There is cautious optimism that, much like the removal vans that marked his quiet exit from Royal Lodge, the controversy surrounding him might gradually fade from public discourse
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