Prince Andrew is delaying his departure from Royal Lodge as much as possible, according to sources familiar with the situation. Following his removal of titles due to his connection with Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced former prince is set to relocate to the King’s private estate in Norfolk from his Windsor mansion.
Initially, the transition was expected to occur after the New Year, post the royal Christmas festivities at Sandringham. However, delays in renovating his new residence at Marsh Farm on the King’s estate and complications in terminating his Royal Lodge lease are causing the process to linger.
Amid reports of Andrew’s refusal to move temporarily and insistence on retaining Royal Lodge for an extended period, insiders suggest he will prolong his stay there. Commentators anticipate a potential six-month extension, highlighting the prince’s reluctance to leave his current residence.
Efforts to expedite Andrew’s exit from Royal Lodge are restricted, with the Prince having given notice to surrender the property by October 30, coinciding with the loss of his titles. As a result, he could potentially stay until October next year. Despite spending Christmas at Royal Lodge, distanced from the royal family’s Sandringham celebrations, Andrew’s daughters opted to join their royal relatives for the festive season.
In October, the King officially revoked Andrew’s HRH style, prince title, and dukedom from the Roll of the Peerage citing “serious lapses” in judgment. This action followed the release of documents from Epstein’s estate and allegations by Virginia Giuffre in a posthumous memoir, revealing Andrew’s continued association with the convicted sex offender.
Despite efforts to hasten his departure, Andrew’s strategic delays and legal constraints are prolonging his stay at Royal Lodge, underscoring the complexities surrounding his relocation.