As Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor prepares to settle into his new home on the King’s Sandringham estate, he may find that one small but immovable rule awaits him at the door – cats are not permitted.
The former Duke of York is expected to move shortly from Royal Lodge in Windsor to Marsh Farm, a modest farmhouse property on the Norfolk estate – but despite recent renovations, new fencing and upgraded security, the residence comes with a long-standing prohibition on feline residents.
The ban is not personal, and according to Hello, applies to all tenants across the Sandringham estate and has been in place for decades, introduced during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II to protect local wildlife.
Sandringham, which spans some 20,000 acres of parkland, woodland and farmland in north-west Norfolk, is renowned for its game birds, particularly pheasants and partridges. Estate policy has traditionally favoured conservation over companionship, with free-roaming cats considered a threat to the bird population.
Dogs, by contrast, are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Whether Mr Mountbatten-Windsor will be accompanied by the late Queen’s corgis – Muick and Sandy – remains unclear. The dogs were adopted by Andrew and his former wife, Sarah Ferguson, following Elizabeth II’s death in 2022. When questions arose about their future during the duke’s move, Buckingham Palace issued a brief statement: “The corgis will remain with the family.”
Cats, however, are non-negotiable.
Marsh Farm lies around two miles from Sandringham House, the monarch’s private country residence, and is one of several residential properties let to staff and tenants across the estate.
The brick-built farmhouse is believed to include two reception rooms and a kitchen, with access to surrounding farmland and outbuildings, including stables. While far removed from the scale of Royal Lodge – a 30-room mansion set in Windsor Great Park – the property offers privacy and proximity to the King’s Norfolk base.
In recent days, workmen have been seen attending the house, installing exterior lighting, new fencing and modern services ahead of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrival, including satellite television.
The Sandringham cat ban is among the more idiosyncratic rules governing the estate, where traditions shaped by shooting seasons, wildlife management and agricultural use often take precedence over domestic preference.
Former estate staff have long noted that while dogs may be permitted – particularly working or family pets – cats have remained strictly off-limits, regardless of status or title.
For the former Prince Andrew, whose move marks a significant change in circumstances, the rule adds an unexpectedly human detail to an otherwise serious transition.
