The moving vans have finally arrived. After years of what royal insiders dubbed the "Siege of Royal Lodge," the man formerly known as Prince Andrew is officially packing his bags. It’s been a messy, public, and frankly awkward standoff between two brothers—one a King trying to slim down a scandal-plagued monarchy, and the other a disgraced Duke clinging to the last shred of his former life.
Honestly, it was never just about a house.
For Andrew, Royal Lodge was a fortress. It was the place where he could hide from the glare of the Epstein scandal, keep his head down, and live like a senior royal even after his titles were stripped away. But as of January 2026, that bubble has burst. The lease is being handed back, the keys are turning in the locks, and the "peppercorn rent" era is over.
The 75-Year Lease That Didn't Save Him
A lot of people think King Charles just snapped his fingers and evicted his brother. It wasn't that simple. Andrew actually had a legal leg to stand on for a long time. Back in 2003, he signed a 75-year lease with the Crown Estate.
He didn't pay monthly rent like a normal person. Instead, he paid a £1 million lump sum and promised to spend about £7.5 million on renovations. In the eyes of the law, he was a tenant with rights. That’s why this took years. Charles couldn't just throw him out without a massive legal headache or a buyout.
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But the house is falling apart. You’ve probably seen the photos—crumbling masonry, peeling paint, and rumors of black mold creeping up the walls of the 30-room mansion. Experts say it needs £400,000 a year just to keep the lights on and the roof from caving in. When the King cut off Andrew’s private allowance and stopped paying for his specialized security team, the math just stopped working.
Andrew tried to play handyman for a bit. There were even reports of him gardening to save on staff costs. But you can't "DIY" a 19th-century Grade II listed estate back to health when you have no income.
Where is He Actually Going?
The rumors about his next move have been everywhere. For a while, everyone thought he’d end up at Frogmore Cottage, the former home of Harry and Meghan. It made sense—it’s smaller, secure, and already renovated.
But current reports from early 2026 point toward Marsh Farm on the Sandringham estate.
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It’s a massive downgrade. Some tabloids are calling it a "shoebox," which is a bit of a stretch for a farmhouse, but compared to the 30 rooms at Royal Lodge, it’s definitely a squeeze. Workers have been spotted there installing Sky VIP dishes and high-end security fences. He’s expected to be in by late January or early February, just before his 66th birthday.
Then there's the Middle East wildcard. Some royal biographers, like Robert Jobson, suggest Andrew might eventually seek "exile" in places like Bahrain. He still has friends there who remember him as the Queen’s son rather than the guy from the Newsnight interview.
The Sarah Ferguson Factor
One of the weirdest parts of the Royal Lodge saga is the living situation with Sarah Ferguson. They divorced in 1996. They’ve lived together for nearly 20 years.
But as the move to Norfolk becomes a reality, the "happily divorced" duo might finally be splitting up. "Fergie" is reportedly looking for her own place, possibly in London or even spending more time in Portugal near Princess Eugenie. She’s stayed by his side through everything, but even she seems ready to "spread her wings" now that the big house is gone.
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Why the King Won't Budge
- The Image Problem: Having a disgraced royal living in a palatial estate while the King preaches about a "scaled-back" monarchy looks terrible.
- The Money: The Crown Estate is a business. They want a tenant who can actually afford to maintain a historic landmark.
- The Successor: Rumors persist that the Prince and Princess of Wales—William and Kate—might eventually move their family into Royal Lodge, though they seem pretty happy at Adelaide Cottage for now.
What Happens to the House Now?
Once Andrew is out, the Crown Estate will likely take a long, hard look at the damage. It’s a 98-acre property. It has a private chapel. It has Y Bwthyn Bach, the famous miniature cottage given to the Queen when she was a child.
It’s too historic to let rot, but too expensive for most minor royals. There’s talk of it becoming a museum or being rented out at market value to a high-net-worth individual, but the security risks of having a random billionaire living in the middle of the King’s private park are a nightmare for the Met Police.
Actionable Insights: What This Means for the Monarchy
If you’re following this because you’re a royal watcher or just interested in the legalities of the Crown Estate, here is the takeaway:
- The "Slimmed-Down" Monarchy is Real: Charles isn't playing favorites. If you aren't a working royal, you don't get the palace.
- Leases Aren't Armor: Even a 75-year legal contract can't withstand a total lack of funding and a loss of royal protection.
- The Norfolk Shift: Moving Andrew to Sandringham puts him under the King’s private roof, literally and figuratively. It's about control and keeping the scandal contained far away from the tourist-heavy Windsor.
The era of Andrew at Royal Lodge is ending with a whimper, not a bang. No more state-funded security, no more 30-room luxury, and no more pretending things can go back to how they were before 2019.
For the latest updates on the relocation, keep an eye on official Crown Estate filings, as the transfer of the lease will be the final legal nail in the coffin of Andrew’s Windsor life.