Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has vacated Royal Lodge in Windsor, bringing to an abrupt end his long and increasingly controversial occupation of the Queen Mother’s former home, as renewed scrutiny over his past association with Jeffrey Epstein continues to reverberate through the Royal Household.
The former prince is understood to have departed the 31-room property late on Monday, travelling under cover of darkness to the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, where he is expected to remain temporarily. The move comes months earlier than some had anticipated and follows the release of further documents in the United States relating to Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender.
According to The Sun, the timing reflected growing concern at the highest levels of the monarchy that the steady drip of revelations was becoming untenable. While Buckingham Palace has declined to comment, it is understood that the King had made clear that Andrew’s continued presence at Royal Lodge was no longer compatible with efforts to protect the reputation of the Crown.
Andrew, 65, had formally surrendered the lease on Royal Lodge last year but was granted a period in which to make alternative arrangements. He is now staying at Wood Farm, a secluded cottage on the Sandringham estate once used by the late Duke of Edinburgh, before an expected permanent move to nearby Marsh Farm once refurbishment work is completed.
The former duke has been under renewed pressure following the publication of additional correspondence linked to Epstein, reigniting questions about the nature and extent of their relationship after Epstein’s 2008 conviction. Andrew has consistently denied any criminal wrongdoing and has previously said he regrets his association with Epstein.
The developments have sharpened calls from across the political spectrum for Andrew to cooperate with American authorities, should they seek his testimony. Downing Street has declined to intervene, while palace sources have emphasised that the matter remains a personal one for Andrew.
The departure marks a significant moment in the King’s long-running effort to draw a line under his brother’s public role. Andrew was stripped of his honorary military titles and royal patronages in 2022 and has since ceased to perform any official duties. His style as “Prince” has also fallen into disuse.
Royal observers see the move as part of a broader attempt to reinforce the monarchy’s commitment to accountability and public standards at a time when its legitimacy is under intense scrutiny. “This is about containment,” said one constitutional expert. “The institution is signalling that past associations which continue to cause reputational damage will no longer be tolerated.”
Whether Andrew’s physical removal from Royal Lodge will succeed in quieting the controversy remains uncertain. With further legal and political pressure possible, his exit from Windsor may prove less an ending than another chapter in a saga the monarchy is keen to leave behind.
