King Charles orders Prince Andrew to vacate Royal Lodge and move to private accommodation on Sandringham Estate.
In a decisive statement on Thursday, King Charles III announced that his brother Prince Andrew — who will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor — must give up his long-term residence on the Windsor estate. The lease on Royal Lodge has been formally surrendered, and he will move to “alternative private accommodation”. The palace announcement states:
"His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease, and he will move to alternative private accommodation."
Although no specific building has been confirmed, multiple reports say Andrew will relocate to a property somewhere on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.
Sandringham Estate is privately owned by King Charles and spans about 8,000 + hectares in Norfolk. The king will make “appropriate private provision” for his brother’s accommodation.
It remains unclear which house Andrew will occupy. Some speculation includes smaller residences like Wood Farm or York Cottage within the estate.
Andrew has been stripped of his royal titles and honours, including his “Prince” status, by the palace amid scrutiny over his connection with Jeffrey Epstein.
The lease arrangement at Royal Lodge — which had allowed him to stay with minimal rent — has been described as a “peppercorn” rent lease, which stood out amid public scrutiny of royal privileges.
The move signals a shift: Andrew transitions from a senior royal position with public duties to private life, living off-site from the main Windsor residence.
This move is more than just a change of address — it reflects a broader strategy by King Charles to streamline the monarchy and reduce reputational risks.
By relocating Andrew away from Windsor, the royal household signals that it draws a firmer line between the core working royals and those whose public role has effectively ended. It raises questions about the financial arrangements of former senior royals: how much the state or monarchy will provide, and what private funding will look like in future.
It may also affect Andrew’s relationship with his daughters — Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie — both of whom remain working royals. The move to Norfolk could impact how often they visit and how visible Andrew remains in royal life.
The exact property within Sandringham where Andrew will live. Whether his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, will move with him or secure a separate residence. Some reports say she must make her own arrangements.
How visible Andrew will be in the royal calendar going forward: whether he will still make appearances, attend family functions, or be invited to historic gatherings at Sandringham.
