Prince Andrew to Relocate from Royal Lodge to Temporary Sandringham Residence
Sources close to the former Duke of York have revealed that Prince Andrew is preparing to vacate his current residence, Royal Lodge, in the coming New Year. He is expected to move to a “temporary” property located on the King’s private estate in Sandringham, Norfolk. This marks a significant shift from his current 30-room mansion to a much smaller dwelling, described by some as “shoebox-sized,” situated in a more remote area of the extensive Norfolk grounds.
While the new residence is significantly smaller than Royal Lodge, it is reportedly undergoing extensive renovations to prepare for Prince Andrew’s arrival. This suggests that despite its reduced size, it will be a substantial and well-appointed home. However, insiders suggest that this Norfolk property may not be Prince Andrew’s permanent base for an extended period.
Potential Future Relocation
Friends of the former Duke of York believe it is unlikely he will remain in Norfolk full-time. Speculation is mounting that he may eventually relocate to the Middle East, a region where he has cultivated long-standing business connections. Many within royal circles consider Bahrain as a potential long-term destination for Prince Andrew.
These revelations about Prince Andrew’s impending move come as royal aides have reportedly begun the discreet removal of contents from Royal Lodge. This process, described as happening “under cover of darkness,” is in preparation for his departure next year. Last week, a lorry belonging to the Royal Household was observed transporting the initial items to a Windsor storage facility managed by the Crown Estate.
The Challenge of Downsizing
It has been suggested that Prince Andrew was initially keen to move to Wood Farm, a five-bedroom cottage on the Sandringham estate that served as Prince Philip’s retirement home. However, there were reportedly discussions regarding whether this location might place him “too close” to other members of the Royal Family.
The precise location and name of the property undergoing renovation remain a closely guarded secret, with royal sources declining to comment on the matter.
One of the primary factors contributing to the delay in Prince Andrew’s departure from Royal Lodge is reportedly the sheer volume of possessions within the “dilapidated” property. Aides have expressed concerns that Prince Andrew, who is described as a “natural hoarder,” has accumulated a vast amount of clutter throughout his Windsor home and has been resistant to accepting assistance in sorting through his extensive private collections.
Estimates suggest that approximately “80 per cent” of his belongings will need to be removed. Some ante-rooms are reportedly filled from floor to ceiling with stacks of documents and photographs. Many of these items require careful handling due to their delicate nature, while others, particularly those pertaining to Royal history, may necessitate professional archiving.
A source privy to the situation described the logistical challenges: “A lorry has been and gone under the cover of darkness. Andrew is going to a shoebox-sized house, compared to Royal Lodge, so a lot of the things that were taken are going into a storage unit. The clutter at Royal Lodge is turning what should be a straightforward move into a months-long, room-by-room excavation. It’s all going to be painfully slow, especially with refurbishment work to complete at the other end. These aren’t the kind of belongings you can sweep into a skip. Even if Andrew wanted to move tomorrow, he couldn’t.”
A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace has declined to offer any comment on the matter.
