Sandringham estate, acquired over 160 years ago, has a historical connection to scandals. Therefore, it seems fitting that the disgraced Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, will relocate to Sandringham following his eviction from Royal Lodge. The 65-year-old is being ousted as part of the removal of his remaining royal privileges.
Instead of Royal Lodge, Andrew will take up residence at one of the properties on his brother’s £60 million Sandringham estate in Norfolk. This echoes the past when the estate was purchased in the 1860s for the future Edward VII. Edward, known as Albert, Prince of Wales, the first royal occupant of the estate, was infamous for his scandalous behavior.
Queen Victoria’s eldest son, Edward, was involved in scandalous activities, including frequenting brothels and being embroiled in a card-cheating scandal. Similarly, Andrew tarnished the royal family’s reputation due to his association with convicted pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and facing allegations of sexual abuse from Virginia Giuffre.
Buckingham Palace has acknowledged “serious lapses of judgment” and stated that Prince Andrew, now Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, will surrender his lease at Royal Lodge and move to alternative private accommodation. The King will privately fund Andrew’s move to Sandringham, where he has resided with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, since the early 2000s.
Sandringham, a private royal estate since 1862, has historically been a favored residence for the royal family during Christmas and New Year. While the royals visit the estate for holidays, none of them permanently reside there.
