Prince Andrew’s Shock Departure from Windsor: Unraveling the Epstein Files and the Battle for Funding His New Home
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the Duke of York, has vacated his residence at Royal Lodge in Windsor and is now temporarily residing at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. According to reports from the BBC, King Charles III’s brother left his Windsor home on Monday night and has moved into a temporary property on the estate while his permanent accommodation undergoes renovations.
The Sandringham Estate, which King Charles privately owns, has historically housed royal family gatherings during the festive season. Its expansive grounds cover approximately 31 square miles, equivalent in size to the city of Nottingham. A royal source indicated that Andrew would shift into his new permanent residence after Christmas to prevent any potential awkwardness during the holidays.
In October, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Andrew would be departing Royal Lodge. This announcement coincided with the formal removal of his title of prince. The Palace issued a notice for him to surrender the lease of the estate, a development that followed discussions surrounding the rent he was paying to the Crown Estate.
Andrew took on the lease for Royal Lodge in 2003 with an upfront payment exceeding £8 million, which included provisions for necessary repairs. The lease was structured to cover 75 years with a notional annual rent of £260,000; however, extensive repairs have raised questions about potential compensation, as a report indicated that such compensation may not be granted.
Reports from the BBC further state that Andrew plans to ultimately move to Marsh Farm on the Sandringham Estate. Although he intends to return briefly to Windsor in the coming weeks to gather his belongings, Norfolk will serve as his new primary base. His last public appearance in Windsor was on February 3, when he was seen horseback riding near his former home.
The scrutiny surrounding Andrew has intensified due to his previous association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In January 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice released numerous files that reignited the controversy over Andrew’s alleged misconduct. Among these files were three undated photographs purportedly depicting Andrew in a compromising position with a woman, claims he has consistently denied. The authenticity of the images has not been independently verified.
Emails from 2010 surfaced, revealing that Andrew allegedly invited Epstein to Buckingham Palace for a private dinner, contradicting his assertion of cutting ties with Epstein following the financier’s first conviction in 2008. Virginia Giuffre, who alleges she was trafficked by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, has claimed she was forced into sexual encounters with Andrew as a minor. Reports suggest that Andrew reached an unofficial settlement with Giuffre in February 2022, estimated at $12 million, a matter that regained attention after Giuffre’s tragic death in April 2025.
Additionally, a second woman has claimed she was trafficked to the UK for an encounter with Andrew in 2010. As public pressure mounts, figures such as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have urged Andrew to cooperate with investigations involving Epstein’s victims. “Anyone who has information should be prepared to share that information,” Starmer remarked, emphasizing the need for a victim-centered approach.
With increasing scrutiny of Andrew’s past and ongoing investigations, his future remains uncertain as he navigates the complexities of his personal and public life.
Original Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/world/no-more-prince-andrew-leaves-windsor-home-amid-epstein-files-row-who-ll-fund-king-charles-brother-s-new-housing-11770186969488.html
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Publish Date: 2026-02-04 12:20:00
