The man formerly known as Prince Andrew is packing his bags. After decades at Royal Lodge, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor is being nudged—okay, firmly pushed—out of his cushy Windsor digs and into something far more modest on the Sandringham Estate. This isn’t just a change of address. It’s a dramatic fall from grace wrapped in royal protocol, complete with stripped titles, shuttered businesses, and a property downgrade that’s impossible to ignore.
So what’s the story behind the Andrew Mountbatten Windsor house situation? Let’s break down where he’s been living, where he’s headed, and why this move matters more than just royal real estate gossip.
Royal Lodge: The £30 Million Mansion He’s Leaving Behind
Royal Lodge isn’t some quaint cottage. This is a 30-room mansion sitting pretty on the Windsor Estate, complete with manicured gardens, historical charm, and all the trappings you’d expect from a property worth north of £30 million. Andrew’s been calling this place home since the early 2000s, sharing the space with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguso,n despite their divorce decades ago.
The residence has its own legacy—Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, lived there before Andrew took over the lease. It’s the kind of property that screams status, with enough rooms to get lost in and grounds that require a small army of groundskeepers. But that lease? It’s been formally terminated. King Charles made sure of that when he stripped Andrew of his titles and honors on October 30, 2025.
Andrew tried to negotiate, reportedly lobbying to move into Frogmore Cottage instead—the former home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, which is much closer to Windsor. That request was denied. The message from Buckingham Palace was clear: you’re moving to Sandringham, and that’s final. The transition won’t happen overnight, though. Sources suggest the Andrew Mountbatten Windsor house relocation will likely occur after Christmas or in early 2026 to avoid the awkwardness of him being around during the royal family’s festive gathering.
York Cottage: The Likely Sandringham Destination
So where exactly is Andrew headed? While Buckingham Palace hasn’t officially confirmed the specific property, all signs point to York Cottage. Originally called Bachelor’s Cottage, this residence has a history that’s equal parts fascinating and uncomfortable. King George V and Queen Mary lived there after receiving it as a wedding gift in 1893. George V actually loved the place, saying it reminded him of a ship’s quarters from his sailing days.
Not everyone shared his enthusiasm. Queen Victoria once described York Cottage as “unlucky and sad.” Writer Lady Frances Donaldson went harder, calling it a monument to eccentricity that would be unremarkable in any suburban neighborhood. The rooms are notoriously small—a stark contrast to Royal Lodge’s sprawling layout. It sits about a quarter mile from Sandringham’s main house, overlooking one of the estate’s man-made lakes, with its own stables and kennel buildings.
The Sandringham Estate itself spans roughly 20,000 acres with around 150 structures scattered across the property. It’s been in royal hands since 1862, when Queen Victoria purchased it for her son, the future King Edward VII. The estate includes notable homes like Amner Hall, where Prince William and Princess Kate reside, and Park House, Princess Diana’s birthplace. But the Andrew Mountbatten Windsor house situation isn’t about prestige anymore—it’s about damage control and distancing.
Why the Move? The Jeffrey Epstein Shadow
Let’s cut through the palace-speak: Andrew’s relocation isn’t voluntary. The pressure has been building for years, ever since his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein became impossible to ignore. Virginia Giuffre accused Andrew of sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager. He denied everything but still paid millions to settle a civil case with her in 2022, despite claiming he didn’t even remember meeting her.
Fresh court documents published in November 2025 showed Andrew emailed Epstein in April 2010—after Epstein’s prison release—saying it would be “good to catch up in person.” They were later photographed together in Central Park that December. Andrew insisted that the meeting was meant to end their friendship, but the optics? Brutal. Public polling showed 79 percent of people supported stripping his titles, with 58 percent wishing the palace had acted sooner.
King Charles waited for the right legal and constitutional moment. According to former royal press secretary Ailsa Anderson, Andrew had been dragging his heels, which meant the palace needed watertight legal advice regarding the Royal Lodge lease before making the October 30 announcement. The King is privately funding Andrew’s new accommodation and making financial provisions for his brother, but the message is unmistakable: your royal life is over.
What About His Businesses? Pitch@Palace Shuts Down
The Andrew Mountbatten Windsor house drama isn’t the only thing closing. On November 11, 2025, documents were filed with Companies House to dissolve Andrew’s business interests, including Pitch@Palace Global. This startup competition launched in 2014, letting entrepreneurs pitch ideas to investors at locations like St. James’s Palace. It ceased operations in 2019 after Andrew’s disastrous BBC Newsnight interview brought his Epstein ties into the spotlight.
The UK arm of Pitch@Palace closed in 2021, but the international side stayed open—until now. Financial statements showed the company had just £10,965 at the end of March 2025, down from £220,990 the previous year. Another venture, Innovate Global Ltd, also began the dissolution process. For someone who once positioned himself as a patron of innovation and entrepreneurship, shutting down these ventures marks another chapter ending.
The Name Game: Andrew Mountbatten Windsor vs. Mountbatten-Windsor
Here’s a detail most people missed: Andrew’s surname keeps shifting. When the palace announced his title stripping on October 30, they called him Andrew Mountbatten Windsor—no hyphen. Later that week, the hyphen was added back, making him Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Why? Queen Elizabeth II requested during her lifetime that her family’s surname include the hyphen. It’s a small detail, but it shows how even naming conventions carry weight in royal circles.
He’s no longer Prince Andrew. He’s no longer the Duke of York. He remains eighth in line to the throne—the only significant position he still holds—but there’s been talk of legislation to formally remove him from succession. That would require an act of Parliament and agreement from Commonwealth realms like Australia and Canada, making it legally complex. For now, the government has no plans to pursue that route.
Public and Political Reactions: Nobody’s Defending Andrew
The response to the Andrew Mountbatten Windsor house situation and title stripping has been almost universally supportive. UK Trade Minister Chris Bryant said Andrew should cooperate with US authorities if asked to answer questions about Epstein’s crimes. Democrat Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi and Stephen Lynch both called on Andrew to testify before Congress, though they can’t subpoena him without cooperation.
Gloria Allred, who has represented Epstein victims, called Andrew losing his title and grand home “long overdue.” She’s been vocal about wanting Andrew to speak to law enforcement under oath—something he’s declined to do so far. Virginia Giuffre’s brother, Sky Roberts, said the King’s decision wasn’t enough, calling for Andrew to be investigated and noting he’s still “walking around a free man” despite everything.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer fully supports the palace’s decision. The Metropolitan Police is actively looking into media reports that Andrew tried to obtain personal information about Giuffre through his police protection. The walls are closing in from multiple directions, and public sympathy is nonexistent.
What Comes Next for Andrew Mountbatten Windsor?
At 65, Andrew faces an uncertain future. He won’t be at Sandringham for Christmas 2025—royal sources confirmed he won’t be invited to the family gathering. Sarah Ferguson also loses her Duchess of York title and must vacate Royal Lodge alongside him. The move to Norfolk takes him 100 miles north of London, away from the Windsor social circle and any remaining royal relevance.
The Andrew Mountbatten Windsor house transition symbolizes more than a property change. It’s the final severance from the royal life he once led. No more state functions. No business ventures under royal patronage. No public role whatsoever. He’ll live on private funds from King Charles, in a property with a reputation for being cramped and historically unlucky.
Ailsa Anderson summed it up perfectly when she asked, “He is only 65, and you have to wonder, what is he going to do?” That’s the question hanging over this entire situation. For someone who spent decades as a working royal, the transition to private citizen—disgraced and stripped of status—won’t be easy. The Andrew Mountbatten Windsor house move to Sandringham isn’t a fresh start. It’s exile dressed up in royal real estate. And honestly? Given the circumstances, it’s probably the best outcome anyone could have hoped for.