Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was known as Prince Andrew, reportedly reacted angrily when he was given a viewing of his new home, an outbuilding on the Sandringham Estate
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor feels his new home is “beneath him,” according to reports.
The former Duke of York, 65, was shown the property intended to be his new home on the Sandringham Estate ahead of the move. A source described Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s reaction at being shown the residence, which he allegedly said he felt was “in the middle of nowhere”.
The insider told royal commentator Rob Shuter: “The moment he walked in, his face dropped. He thought it was beneath him. Too small, too isolated — he actually called it the middle of nowhere.”
Marsh Farm might be significantly smaller than Royal Lodge, but it is still by most people’s standards a decent size, even if the former duke isn’t happy. Andrew is apparently “appalled” that he will only have five bedrooms in his new home, believing it to be “poky”.
READ MORE: All the perks Andrew still gets in ramshackle swamp home as he ‘fumes over size’READ MORE: Princess Beatrice shows support to disgraced dad Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
Work is being carried out on Marsh Farm before the big move(Image: PA)
According to Mr Shuter’s Substack, Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, who served in the Royal Navy from 1979 to 2001, has already begun outlining a list of expectations that go far beyond simply moving in. Another source said: “He wants a golf course, stables, shooting rights — the works. He’s talking about gutting the bathrooms, redoing the kitchen, rebuilding servant quarters, and upgrading every inch.”
Those demands have raised eyebrows, particularly given Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s current standing within the family. Once a senior working royal, he has since been stripped of his titles and largely cut off from public duties.
A source told the Daily Mail: “He really didn’t want Marsh Farm… He won’t have lived anywhere that small since he left his apartment at Buckingham Palace.” Five bedrooms might be more than most people boast across the UK, but the former prince will not have room for live-in staff, something that is said to be a point of contention.
READ MORE: All you need to know on ex-prince Andrew’s Royal Lodge eviction
King Charles has worked to streamline the monarchy and reduce public criticism of royal privilege, and so it is believed his brother’s reaction to his new pad has complicated those efforts. The situation has taken its toll on the rest of the former prince’s family too, including his two daughters; Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
Beatrice and Eugenie have both remained princesses, but the sisters are believed to be finding the fallout extremely hard to navigate. “The guidance from Buckingham Palace around Andrew was that Beatrice and Eugenie’s position in the royal family was unaffected,” ITV News Royal Editor Chris Ship tells us.
“Obviously they shouldn’t be held responsible for their father’s missteps, but it must still be emotionally draining for them to see how he has been humiliated and had his reputation completely torn to shreds right across the world.”