Prince Andrew's reign at Royal Lodge comes to an end as he packs up his bags for the Sandringham Estate. After nearly two decades, Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles III, has bid farewell to Windsor's Royal Lodge, a 30-room mansion on the grounds of Windsor Estate. The move marks the latest chapter in a saga that has seen Prince Andrew weather controversy and scandal over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
According to sources close to the palace, Mountbatten-Windsor will now reside permanently on King Charles III's privately owned Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England - over 100 miles away from Royal Lodge. The move is part of a broader effort by the royal family to distance itself from Prince Andrew, whose involvement with Epstein has been the subject of intense scrutiny.
In October last year, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles III had initiated the process of removing Mountbatten-Windsor's "style, titles and honours," including his "prince" title. At the time, the palace confirmed that Mountbatten-Windsor would also move out of Royal Lodge, stating in a statement that he would surrender the lease on the property and seek alternative private accommodation.
The move has been seen as a response to growing public pressure and mounting controversy surrounding Prince Andrew's association with Epstein. The two men were photographed together on several occasions, including at Epstein's mansion in New York and at a charity event in London. While Prince Andrew has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, the documents released by the US Department of Justice have raised serious questions about his involvement with Epstein.
According to the documents, Mountbatten-Windsor was in regular communication with Epstein after he had completed a 13-month jail sentence and work release - the result of a 2008 plea bargain with federal prosecutors in Florida. The documents also show that Prince Andrew's name appears in correspondence between him and Epstein beyond the time that he claimed to have cut ties with his former mentor.
As Prince Andrew settles into his new home at Sandringham, many are left wondering what this latest move says about his future within the royal family. One thing is certain - it marks a significant departure from his previous life as a member of the royal household and a key player in British society.
According to sources close to the palace, Mountbatten-Windsor will now reside permanently on King Charles III's privately owned Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England - over 100 miles away from Royal Lodge. The move is part of a broader effort by the royal family to distance itself from Prince Andrew, whose involvement with Epstein has been the subject of intense scrutiny.
In October last year, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles III had initiated the process of removing Mountbatten-Windsor's "style, titles and honours," including his "prince" title. At the time, the palace confirmed that Mountbatten-Windsor would also move out of Royal Lodge, stating in a statement that he would surrender the lease on the property and seek alternative private accommodation.
The move has been seen as a response to growing public pressure and mounting controversy surrounding Prince Andrew's association with Epstein. The two men were photographed together on several occasions, including at Epstein's mansion in New York and at a charity event in London. While Prince Andrew has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, the documents released by the US Department of Justice have raised serious questions about his involvement with Epstein.
According to the documents, Mountbatten-Windsor was in regular communication with Epstein after he had completed a 13-month jail sentence and work release - the result of a 2008 plea bargain with federal prosecutors in Florida. The documents also show that Prince Andrew's name appears in correspondence between him and Epstein beyond the time that he claimed to have cut ties with his former mentor.
As Prince Andrew settles into his new home at Sandringham, many are left wondering what this latest move says about his future within the royal family. One thing is certain - it marks a significant departure from his previous life as a member of the royal household and a key player in British society.