Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s departure from Royal Lodge has been postponed until early 2025, despite having already relinquished his tenancy agreement at the Windsor property.
Sources indicate the relocation timeline to his new residence on the Sandringham estate will be drawn out over several months.
The 65-year-old former royal, who can no longer use his Prince designation following Thursday evening’s announcement from Buckingham Palace, faces an extended transition period before settling into his Norfolk accommodation.
The Palace confirmed both the removal of his remaining titles and his eviction from the 30-room property where he has resided for over 20 years.
Sarah Ferguson and Andrew Mountbatten Windsor won’t leave Royal Lodge until after Christmas in surprise move
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The lengthy moving process means Andrew must now prepare for a gradual withdrawal from his Windsor base, whilst arrangements for his Sandringham relocation continue into the new year.
The timing of this extended relocation process will spare the Royal Family potential discomfort during their annual Norfolk gathering.
Rather than residing nearby at his new Sandringham cottage, Andrew and his former spouse, Sarah Ferguson, are expected to remain at Windsor throughout the festive period.
This arrangement places them approximately 130 miles from the traditional royal Christmas celebrations, avoiding what sources described as a “potentially awkward encounter” with other family members.
The geographical distance ensures the former prince won’t be within close proximity of the main Sandringham House during the holiday season.
The strategic delay effectively removes any possibility of unplanned meetings between Andrew and his relatives during what remains an important annual tradition for the monarchy.
The Norfolk estate spans approximately 20,000 acres, yet suitable accommodation options for Andrew remain limited.
The five-bedroom Wood Farm, where Prince Philip spent his retirement years, has been excluded from consideration.
Park House, the former childhood residence of Princess Diana, has sat vacant for more than five years but appears unsuitable due to its extensive refurbishment needs.
The property had previously served as a respite facility for individuals with disabilities for several decades, leaving it in need of significant renovation work.
Among the viable alternatives are The Folly and Gardens House, both currently operating as holiday rental properties on the estate.
Andrew hopes his eventual accommodation will provide sufficient space for visits from his daughters, their spouses and grandchildren.
The eviction and title removal follow sustained public criticism regarding Andrew’s connections to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and allegations from the late Virginia Giuffre.
These revelations have continued to generate controversy surrounding the former prince.
Sarah will establish independent living arrangements rather than accompany her former husband to Norfolk. The couple’s separation in housing arrangements marks a significant change after years of cohabitation at Royal Lodge.
Andrew’s transformation into a private citizen represents the culmination of ongoing fallout from the scandal. His inability to retain the Prince designation underscores the severity of consequences stemming from his past associations and the resulting damage to the monarchy’s reputation.