Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is living in exile on the Sandringham Estate as police assess allegations he leaked confidential documents to Jeffrey Epstein
Simon Green and Emma Mackenzie
14:31, 16 Feb 2026
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is living in exile(Image: AP)
Expelled from royal duties and residing away from the spotlight, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s existence has dramatically transformed. The controversy engulfing him shows no signs of abating.
Prince William faced questions regarding the accusations against his uncle during an official trip to Saudi Arabia, whilst the King has also encountered public confrontation.
William and Kate are, their spokesperson confirmed, “deeply concerned by the continuing revelations”. The representative emphasised that the future monarch and his consort’s “thoughts remain focused on the victims”.
King Charles issued a striking fresh statement following reports that police are “assessing” claims that Andrew disclosed sensitive documents to Epstein whilst serving as a UK trade envoy. “The King has made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct,” a Palace spokesman said this week.
“Whilst the specific claims in question are for Mr Mountbatten-Windsor to address, if we are approached by Thames Valley Police we stand ready to support them as you would expect.”
The King’s brother departed his longtime residence at Royal Lodge under cover of darkness on Monday 2 February, and is currently in seclusion on the Sandringham Estate. He’s presently at Wood Farm but will relocate permanently to Marsh Farm, a five-bedroom property situated beside a bog, once refurbishment work is finished.
Andrew and his siblings(Image: Getty Images)
Charles reportedly compelled Andrew to vacate his Windsor mansion ahead of the planned date after the former duke persisted in riding horses within public view, greeting and acknowledging onlookers.
The Epstein files have revealed a succession of disturbing fresh allegations about Andrew and his connections to Epstein, including a 2006 legal correspondence alleging that the two propositioned an “exotic dancer” to have a threesome with them in Epstein’s Florida home. One author has also suggested that the disturbing relationship between Epstein, Andrew and their former partners, Sarah Ferguson and Ghislaine Maxwell extends beyond mere friendship.
Royal commentator Andrew Lownie told the Mirror that Fergie and Epstein had a sexual relationship and she was “madly in love” with the sex offender. Andrew and Ghislaine are also reported to have been “occasional lovers”.
Now, Fergie and Andrew have finally parted ways after cohabiting for numerous years following their divorce, and it’s reported that relations within the York family have become extraordinarily tense. Eugenie has, at least in public view, distanced herself from her father throughout the scandal, Lownie suggests – with a significant motivation behind her choice being the protection of her Anti Slavery Collective charity, which supports trafficking survivors.
Conversely, Beatrice has remained loyal to him, and was seen horse riding alongside Andrew and her daughter Sienna prior to his late-night departure from Windsor.
However, with neither income nor titles and a steadily shrinking social circle, what lies ahead for Andrew?
Police Investigation
Correspondence within the Epstein documents appears to indicate that Andrew passed on confidential materials from his tenure as UK Trade Envoy to Jeffrey Epstein. Several of these messages are dated either after the moment when Andrew insisted he severed contact with the paedophile, or whilst on the now-notorious journey to New York when he maintained he travelled to terminate their association face-to-face because he was “too honourable” to handle it by telephone.
Disturbing photos released in the Epstein files appear to show Andrew crouching on all fours over a female
One message was dispatched from Amit Patel to Amanda Thirsk – Andrew’s then private secretary – and mere minutes after receiving reports from his official visits to Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shenzen, he apparently passed the sensitive information to Epstein, whilst residing in the sex offender’s New York residence. On Christmas Eve of that year, he seemingly sent Epstein confidential briefs on potential investment opportunities related to the reconstruction of Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
The email states: “J, Attached is a confidential brief produced by the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Helmand Province for International Investment Opportunities. These are not exclusive to Helmand Province but principally focused on that province.
“I am going to offer this elsewhere in my network (including Abu Dhabi) but would be very interested in your comments, views or ideas as to whom I could also usefully show this to attract some interest. I have sadly already found out that Gates Foundation doesn’t do anything in Afghanistan. A. HRH The Duke of York KG”.
Thames Valley Police have confirmed that this has been officially reported to them and they are “assessing the information in line with our established procedures”. Lownie, author of the explosive biography of Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah – ‘Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York’ – tells the Mirror that it’s high time for a comprehensive investigation.
“I do think also the National Crime Agency – I’ve offered evidence – need to look at his time as a trade envoy,” the expert elaborates. “I think there needs to be a proper parliamentary investigation into his time as a trade envoy. Lownie is also demanding that “all the files on his time as a trade envoy” be released to the public, stating: “I think will reveal just how corrupt he was and how many people like Epstein he was taking on these trips.
This should be a wake up call for the British establishment, not another excuse to brush things under the carpet.
Andrew ‘unstable’
Sources suggest the King and fellow members of the Royal Family have grown increasingly anxious about Andrew’s state of mind as accusations against him continue to pile up. Prince William, while reportedly supporting his father’s efforts to remove Andrew’s royal titles and privileges, is understood to be troubled by his uncle’s psychological wellbeing, even as he remains “deeply concerned” about the claims made against him.
The King and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
A source told The Times that William, a long-standing advocate for improved mental health awareness, fears that stripping Andrew of all royal trappings could leave him unable to adjust to his diminished status. The insider was quoted as saying: “In the whole sorry saga, William was often painted as the tough guy urging his father to put his foot down. This image of ruthless William was, I’m told, wide of the mark.
“If anything, William was deeply concerned for his uncle’s mental health and how Andrew would cope after everything was taken away. Nevertheless, William realised that while Andrew had always denied any wrongdoing, he supported his father’s decision to strip Andrew of his royal titles. Kate, in turn, supported her husband in the matter.”
Nevertheless, William realised that whilst Andrew had always denied any wrongdoing, he supported his father’s decision to strip Andrew of his royal titles. Kate, in turn, supported her husband in the matter.
Charles is understood to be attempting to “contain” his younger brother through the provision of a “modest stipend” and accommodation at the Sandringham Estate. Speaking to the Times, insiders characterised the former Duke of York as being ‘unstable’. An insider revealed: “The King feels he has no other option than to take sole responsibility for his brother, who will be privately funded. Every time he’s tried to support himself by independent means, it has led to greater trouble. Containing him is the hope.”
William is reportedly not alone in his apprehension. One insider suggested to the Mail that Andrew is quickly losing touch with reality, highlighting that his tendency to go horse riding and acknowledge the public reveals a failure to grasp the gravity of his circumstances. “Waving at the public harked back to his royal days when he was used to adulation and respect,” the source said.
“Andrew is having difficulty acknowledging reality and it was increasingly causing concern at the Palace – both as a sign of his mental state and because it wouldn’t play well with the public witnessing him still enjoying the trappings of royalty.”
Royal commentator Afua Acheampong-Hagan has told the Mirror that whilst she wouldn’t be “surprised” if Andrew is finding the situation difficult given the level of public attention the scandal has attracted, she cautioned that this cannot serve as a “excuse” to avoid answering questions and assisting victims in their pursuit of justice.”
There have long been reports that he is “out of touch with reality,” the commentator explains. “But I worry about that being used an excuse for him not to take accountability, and perhaps that he will start blaming mental health issues and use that as an excuse to not speak before congress, or take any accountability. I don’t doubt that this has had a great effect on his mental health.
I don’t doubt that at all, but again, two things can be true at once: this can be affecting his mental health but he still has to be held accountable.”
Andrew’s concerns over funeral arrangements
Among his various preoccupations, Andrew is understood to be worried about what sort of funeral he will be given in due course. Whilst this may seem unusual to most people, the Royal Family are known to play an active part in organising their own funeral services. Prince Philip, for example, eschewed a grand state funeral, preferring a more modest ceremonial farewell in Windsor.
However, the guest list at the late Duke of Edinburgh’s 2021 funeral was even smaller than he might have anticipated due to social distancing measures enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Andrew is allegedly fuming at funeral plans(Image: Getty Images)
In contrast, Andrew had always envisioned his own funeral as a lavish event, with the nation in mourning – a scenario that now seems unlikely given his recent disgrace. “He envisaged a grand affair in St George’s Chapel in Windsor, televised to a grieving nation, but his plans have been put in the shredder,” an insider revealed to the Mail.
Family disagreements
Princess Anne is said to have found the King’s approach “too harsh” with their younger brother and “has been vocal with both the King and William about Andrew’s treatment,” a source told the Mail.
Their youngest sibling Edward, who was allegedly bullied by Andrew in their youth, “is backing her to some extent,” the source added. “There are several arguments going on between Andrew and the King and between the King and the wider family – some of whom are convinced the King has treated his brother too harshly”. However, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams tells the Mirror that whilst this may have been Anne’s instinctive response, King Charles’s “brutal” handling of Andrew has been justified with each subsequent Epstein files disclosure, stating it was “absolutely necessary” for the monarch to take such action against his brother.
Prince Edward, the youngest sibling, was the first to publicly address the matter earlier this month when he faced an unexpected question about the ongoing scandal during an overseas visit. Edward informed journalists it was crucial to “remember the victims” – a stance that Fitzwilliams believes demonstrates his alignment with the monarch on this matter. When the King and Queen issued their statement last year confirming Andrew’s titles would be stripped, they “emphasised the victims and Edward was continuing that particular emphasis,” Fitzwilliams explains, “which is what is important, of course.
“Royal author Robert Jobson, writing for the Mail, has suggested there is considerable tension between Edward and Andrew. The former duke is reportedly described as having been a “bruiser” during childhood, contrasting sharply with Edward’s gentler disposition. He would reportedly “swipe” cakes from his younger sibling and generally dominate him, resulting in Edward eventually discovering that yielding was the easiest option, Jobson claimed. Similarly, whilst Andrew became the late Queen’s favoured son, Edward developed a closer bond with his father, the late Prince Philip, who supported him when he chose to leave the Armed Forces.
Andrew is believed to be in total denial regarding his spectacular downfall. Royal biographer Lownie, whose unauthorised biography of the former prince – ‘Entitled’ – came out last August, commented: “He’s such a narcissist that he still doesn’t feel the need to apologise. I don’t think he’s ever going to accept he’s wrong because he suffers from an absolute lack of self-awareness. I think he still feels he’s invincible. He sees himself as an innocent man, traduced.”