Prince Andrew has officially moved out of Royal Lodge, his Windsor residence of over two decades, as police authorities assess a fresh allegation connected to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. This development marks a significant shift in the royal's living arrangements, with sources confirming his permanent relocation to Norfolk.
A Permanent Move to Norfolk
According to palace insiders, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has departed from the 30-room mansion on the Windsor Estate. Sky News royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills reports that this forms part of a permanent move to Norfolk, which is expected to unfold gradually over time. The former duke is currently occupying temporary accommodation within the Sandringham Estate, with plans for a further transition in the coming months once final arrangements are solidified.
Police Assessment of New Allegation
Thames Valley Police have confirmed they are evaluating a claim that a woman was dispatched by Jeffrey Epstein to meet Andrew at Royal Lodge in 2010. The alleged encounter reportedly involved a woman in her twenties, as detailed by her legal representative in recent BBC disclosures. A police spokesperson stated: "We are aware of reports about a woman said to have been taken to an address in Windsor in 2010 for sexual purposes. We are assessing the information in line with our established procedures."
The spokesperson emphasised that reports of sexual crimes are taken extremely seriously, though noted that neither the lawyer nor the client has formally reported these specific allegations to Thames Valley Police at this juncture. Andrew has not publicly addressed this latest claim, but has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein in the past.
Background and Previous Settlements
This move follows the King's announcement last October to revoke Andrew's style, title, and honours, citing the Epstein-linked allegations as a distraction from the Royal Family's duties. Andrew had resided at Royal Lodge under a "peppercorn rent" arrangement—a nominal lease often as low as £1 annually—for more than twenty years.
In 2022, Andrew reached a financial settlement with Virginia Giuffre, who had accused him of sexual misconduct and initiated a civil case against him. He has vehemently denied these allegations. Tragically, Ms Giuffre passed away in April of last year. Additionally, Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson agreed last year to vacate Royal Lodge in exchange for two separate residences, further complicating the property's future.
The ongoing police assessment and Andrew's relocation underscore the persistent scrutiny surrounding his associations with Jeffrey Epstein, as the royal family continues to navigate these challenging allegations.
