As Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor finally leaves Royal Lodge, some details have emerged about how he reportedly felt about the exit.
Andrew, 65, moved into Royal Lodge back in 2004. He was granted a 75-year lease on the large property in Windsor Great Park the year before.
But intense scrutiny over his association with late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has forced him out of the property.
Last year, the decision for him to move out was announced by the palace. At the same time, his brother King Charles initiated a formal process to remove Andrew’s royal titles and honours amid the scrutiny.
Now, earlier than some expected, Andrew has finally left the 30-room property. But where is he now living? Let’s take a look…
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor leaves Royal Lodge ‘under the cover of darkness’
It was confirmed on Tuesday that Andrew, King Charles’ younger brother and Queen Elizabeth II’s second son, has left Royal Lodge after months of speculation about when he’d move out.
A source reportedly told The Sun that Andrew found the move “humiliating”. The insider claimed: “He had planned to cling on at Royal Lodge a little longer but with the latest batch of Epstein files it was made clear to him that it was time to go.
“Leaving was so humiliating for him that he chose to do it under the cover of darkness. He didn’t want to have a big emotional goodbye even though Royal Lodge is a place where he had so many family memories.
“Theoretically he could have stayed until Marsh Farm was ready but the headlines were only getting worse. Also, the fact he’s been seen driving around Windsor laughing and looking like he hasn’t a care in the world hasn’t gone down well with the Royal Household.”
Representatives for Andrew have been contacted for comment.
Where will Andrew live now?
According to reports, Andrew has moved to the king’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. The estate is privately owned by King Charles and he will pay the costs of his brother’s new home.
It’s said that Andrew’s new permanent home will be Marsh Farm.
However, the property is reportedly undergoing renovations. Therefore, Andrew is staying temporarily at Wood Farm Cottage on the Sandringham Estate, according to the BBC.
Leaving was so humiliating for him that he chose to do it under the cover of darkness.
Renovations on Marsh Farm could be complete by Easter, and then Andrew will move permanently into the red-brick cottage.
Marsh Farm reportedly contains a kitchen, two reception rooms, five bedrooms, outbuildings and stables. Builders were recently spotted at the property, reportedly installing six-foot high security fences, CCTV and improved electrical and sewage systems.
Andrew and the Epstein scandal
Andrew’s move from Royal Lodge comes at a time of mounting pressure against the former prince.
For years, he has faced scrutiny over his links to Jeffrey Epstein. Emails emerged last year that seemingly showed Andrew in contact with Epstein longer than he previously claimed.
In his BBC Newsnight interview in 2019, Andrew claimed he cut contact with the disgraced financier in late 2010 following Epstein’s 2008 conviction of two state prostitution charges.
However, emails that emerged last year appeared to show Andrew allegedly in contact with Epstein in early 2011.
Allegations against Andrew
Andrew has also faced allegations of sexual assault.
Virginia Giuffre alleged she was made to sleep with Andrew on three separate occasions when she was 17 after being trafficked by Epstein.
Andrew has repeatedly denied the allegations.
Last week, more than three million files relating to Epstein and his crimes were released by the US Department of Justice. Within these files, images appeared to show Andrew kneeling on all fours over an unidentified woman lying on the ground.
In two of the images, he is seen touching the person, who is fully clothed, on her stomach. Another image shows him staring at the camera.
No context has been supplied for the images. It’s also unclear when and where they were taken.
Andrew has always vehemently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein and being named or pictured among the Epstein files is not an indication of wrongdoing.
Read more: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor ‘grim-faced’ in new appearance amid Epstein files release
In addition, since the release of the files, a second woman has come forward. Through her lawyer, she has alleged that she was sent to the UK by Epstein for a sexual encounter with Andrew.
The alleged encounter happened at Royal Lodge in 2010.
Representatives for Andrew were contacted comment on these allegations.
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