In the early hours of February 2, 2026, under the cover of darkness, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor—formerly known as Prince Andrew, Duke of York—was swiftly and discreetly removed from his longtime residence at Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park. What palace insiders describe as a hastily arranged, near-secret operation marked the culmination of months of mounting pressure on King Charles III to enforce his brother’s departure from the sprawling 30-room mansion. The move, originally slated for early spring or around Easter, was brought forward dramatically following the latest release of documents and images linked to Jeffrey Epstein, reigniting public scrutiny and forcing the King’s hand.
Royal Lodge, a Crown Estate property leased by Andrew since 2003, had long symbolized his lingering privileges despite his 2019 withdrawal from public duties and the 2022 settlement with Virginia Giuffre. The 30-bedroom Georgian mansion, with its extensive grounds, staff quarters, and proximity to Windsor Castle, stood in stark contrast to the more modest accommodations now assigned to him. Andrew’s reluctance to leave—citing the home’s suitability for his lifestyle and the costs of relocation—had delayed the process for months. But the fresh wave of Epstein-related revelations, including newly disclosed emails, photographs, and allegations, shifted the dynamic decisively.
Sources close to the situation report that King Charles, in consultation with Prince William, reached an urgent decision during a private discussion at Sandringham over the weekend of January 31–February 1. Frustrated by Andrew’s continued visibility on the Windsor estate—riding horses, waving at passersby, and appearing unrepentant amid the renewed headlines—the King reportedly concluded that further delay was untenable. “Enough was enough,” one insider told media outlets. The eviction was executed swiftly: Andrew was transported by car more than 130 miles to Norfolk in the dead of night, avoiding public attention and media scrutiny.
His immediate destination is Wood Farm, a cottage on the King’s private Sandringham Estate previously used by Prince Philip in his later years. Described as a temporary residence while renovations proceed, Wood Farm offers a quieter, more isolated setting far from the public eye. Andrew’s ultimate permanent home will be Marsh Farm, another property on the same 20,000-acre estate located about 1.5 miles west of Sandringham House near Wolferton. The red-brick farmhouse, with just five bedrooms, two reception rooms, a kitchen, outbuildings, and stables, represents a dramatic downgrade from Royal Lodge’s grandeur.
Insiders say Andrew was “shocked” by the scale of the change. Marsh Farm lacks space for live-in staff, meaning he must now rely on the King’s household staff on an on-call basis rather than maintaining his own dedicated team. Security upgrades, including new cameras and lighting, have been installed in preparation for his arrival, expected possibly by early April once work is complete. The property’s location on a flood-risk plain has drawn particular attention: nearby residents are urged to register for flood alerts due to a pump station known to be prone to failure during heavy rain. Critics have dubbed it a “swamp home” or “shoe box-sized” exile, emphasizing the symbolic shift from royal indulgence to rural restraint.
The timing of the accelerated move ties directly to the latest Epstein disclosures. In late January and early February 2026, additional files surfaced, including emails exchanged between Andrew and Epstein, photographs depicting compromising situations, and renewed allegations from accusers. One woman claimed she was sent to Royal Lodge in 2010 for encounters arranged by Epstein. While Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing and settled civil claims without admission of liability, the drip-feed of material has kept the scandal alive, embarrassing the monarchy and intensifying calls for further isolation.
King Charles’s decision reflects a broader strategy to distance the institution from Andrew’s controversies. In October 2025, the palace formally stripped him of his remaining royal titles, including “Duke of York” and the style of “His Royal Highness,” reducing him to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The eviction from Royal Lodge was announced concurrently, with Charles personally ordering the surrender of the lease. Funding for Andrew’s new life—security, maintenance, and living expenses—will come from the King’s private resources rather than the Crown Estate or taxpayer funds, underscoring the family’s internal handling of the matter.
The move has sparked mixed reactions. Supporters argue it demonstrates the King’s commitment to accountability and modernization, protecting the monarchy’s reputation amid ongoing scrutiny. Critics, however, point to the “humiliating” nature of the midnight relocation—packing unfinished, staff left to handle belongings, and a sudden uprooting—as evidence of internal ruthlessness. Some royal watchers note the contrast with past leniency toward Andrew, suggesting the Epstein files provided the final impetus for decisive action.
For Andrew, the transition marks a profound shift. Once second in line to the throne and a decorated Falklands War veteran, he now resides in relative seclusion on a private estate far from London and the centers of power. Marsh Farm’s modest scale—no grand ballrooms, no extensive staff quarters—symbolizes the end of an era of entitlement. Locals near Sandringham have expressed mixed feelings: some resent the added security burden, while others view it as a pragmatic solution that keeps him out of the public spotlight.
As Andrew settles into his new reality, the palace maintains a firm line: the monarchy moves forward, focused on duty and public service. The midnight exile from Royal Lodge, accelerated by controversy and executed with quiet efficiency, sends an unmistakable message—the era of indulgence is over, and even royal siblings must face consequences when scandals refuse to fade.
