Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor reportedly moved out of his home in Windsor to the King’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk on Monday night. He is currently staying at Wood Farm while his permanent home is under renovation. It is expected that Andrew will ultimately move into Marsh Farm on the estate in the next couple of months.
Buckingham Palace had previously indicated that Andrew’s departure from Royal Lodge would take place in early 2026, but the latest release of the Jeffrey Epstein files appears to have accelerated the process. Pressure has continued to mount on Andrew to co-operate with US authorities examining his past association with the convicted sex offender. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
According to royal sources speaking to the Daily Mail, the decision was taken on Sunday evening following an urgent discussion between King Charles and Prince William.
An insider told the Daily Mail: “It was hastily arranged and done under the radar, leaving Royal Lodge staff to pack up what remains of Andrew’s belongings.”
They also told the outlet that in the past weeks, Sarah Ferguson has been “creeping back and forth” from Royal Lodge, “smuggled in and out by car while lying prone on the back seat”, to avoid being spotted.
However, she will reportedly not be joining him in Norfolk.
A source told HELLO! last month: “She has stood by him all these years but is now ready to spread her wings.
“She won’t be moving in with him to the new house on the Sandringham Estate. She won’t be moving into Beatrice’s Cotswolds home, though. Eugenie’s home in Portugal is a contender while she finds somewhere.”
The former Duchess of York has also been named in the most recent release of the Jeffrey Epstein files by the US Justice Department. The files show multiple emails sent by an account believed to belong to Ferguson, some dating several years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for sex crimes.
According to one 2009 email, Ferguson allegedly praises Epstein as “the brother I have always wished for.” Another from 2010 calls him a “legend” and expresses gratitude for his “generosity and kindness”, adding, “I am at your service. Just marry me.”
The documents also reveal financial exchanges. In 2009, Ferguson appears to have requested £20,000 to cover rent, referencing threats from her landlord and a recent business setback. Epstein is noted as having provided financial assistance to Ferguson over many years, according to the correspondence.
Several emails mention Ferguson’s daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, including an exchange where an unnamed person mentions Eugenie’s “sh***ing weekend.” Other messages see Ferguson allegedly acknowledging Epstein’s family news, such as the reported birth of a child.
In a 2011 interview, Ms Ferguson said: “I would never have anything to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again. I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children. It was a gigantic error of judgment.”
Being named in the Epstein files is not a sign of wrongdoing.