Andrew, who had been living at the 31-room, £30 million mansion, has relocated to an undisclosed property on the King’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk. The move comes in the wake of recent revelations in the Jeffrey Epstein files released by the US Department of Justice, which reportedly raised further concerns about Andrew’s past associations.
A palace insider indicated that Andrew may be allowed to return to Royal Lodge temporarily to pack belongings and attend appointments near his former home.
Sources said the Duke had originally given notice on the Royal Lodge lease in November, after a long-standing dispute with the King. However, a series of damaging revelations regarding his friendship with the convicted paedophile led to Charles stripping Andrew of his royal titles and privileges.
Building work has begun on Marsh Farm, intended as Andrew’s future residence, but palace sources have confirmed that he will live at an interim property on the estate in the meantime.
A friend of Andrew told reporters: “He had planned to cling on at Royal Lodge a little longer, but with the latest Epstein documents, it was made clear it was time to go. Leaving was humiliating for him, so he chose to do it under cover of darkness. He didn’t want a big emotional goodbye despite the many family memories at Royal Lodge.”
Andrew was reportedly driven 132 miles to Sandringham, where he spent time at Wood Farm cottage. The source added that the move was expedited due to negative publicity surrounding the latest US investigation files.
The Times reported that Andrew had not paid meaningful rent on Royal Lodge for more than 20 years, paying only a peppercorn rent after the initial deposit. The process of removing him from the property, the former home of the late Queen Mother, had reportedly taken around two years.
In 2024, Andrew had resisted advice to leave Royal Lodge, prompting palace aides to comment: “It can be done tidily or untidily. It can be done with grace and dignity or it can be thrust upon him.”
