Prince Andrew Relocates to Modest Farm After Losing Royal Privileges
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Duke of York, has officially vacated the opulent Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate and moved into a more modest five-bedroom farmhouse on the Sandringham Estate. This significant relocation occurred on Monday night, February 2, marking a dramatic shift in his living arrangements following the stripping of his royal titles and benefits.
From Grand Mansion to Humble Abode
The disgraced former duke has left behind the 30-room Georgian mansion, which he had occupied since 2003, situated on 98 acres of land west of London. In its place, he will now reside at Marsh Farm, a property described by royal insiders as "modest." This new home features a kitchen, two reception rooms, and various outbuildings and stables, a stark contrast to his previous lavish residence.
According to reports from the BBC, Mountbatten-Windsor will call Marsh Farm his permanent home and will be responsible for covering all associated costs. He is expected to briefly return to Windsor to collect any remaining belongings, but the move signifies a permanent departure from the royal accommodations he once enjoyed.
Background of the Move
This relocation comes in the wake of new disclosures that have highlighted the extent of Andrew's closeness with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In October, the ex-prince was stripped of his royal titles and ordered to vacate the Royal Lodge, a directive he has now complied with. Among the three million files released by the US Department of Justice on Friday, January 30, was a 2010 email exchange between an individual identified as ‘A’ and Epstein.
The emails reveal suggestive conversations, including one where Epstein asks about private time, and a response signed by ‘A’ suggests dinner at Buckingham Palace with "lots of privacy." Additionally, photographs have surfaced showing Mountbatten-Windsor in compromising positions, such as kneeling over a woman lying on the ground. Despite these allegations, Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Political and Personal Repercussions
The scandal has drawn attention from political figures, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer urging Mountbatten-Windsor to testify before a congressional committee in the United States regarding his dealings with Epstein. Starmer emphasized that "anybody who has got information should be prepared to share that information in whatever form they are asked to do that."
Notably, Sarah Ferguson, Andrew's ex-wife who has also been named in the Epstein files, will not be joining him at the new residence. This move underscores the ongoing fallout from the Epstein scandal, impacting both Andrew's personal life and his standing within the royal family.
