Prince Andrew Relocates to Sandringham Estate as Epstein Controversy Intensifies
Prince Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles III, has officially departed his Windsor residence and taken up temporary accommodation at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. According to BBC reports, Queen Elizabeth II's second son vacated Royal Lodge on Monday night and is now staying in a provisional property on the estate while his new permanent home undergoes renovations.
Royal Transition and Financial Arrangements
The Sandringham Estate, privately owned by King Charles, will serve as Andrew's new base. The monarch has agreed to cover all costs associated with his brother's new accommodation, marking a significant shift in royal living arrangements. Buckingham Palace confirmed Andrew's departure from Royal Lodge in October, coinciding with the formal removal of his princely title.
Royal sources revealed to the BBC that Andrew's move was strategically timed to occur after Christmas to avoid potential awkwardness during the Royal Family's traditional festive gathering at Sandringham. The estate itself holds historical significance, having been purchased in 1862 as a private royal retreat spanning approximately 31 square miles - comparable in size to cities like Surat in Gujarat, Cuttack in Odisha, or Dadri in Uttar Pradesh.
Lease Termination and Financial Implications
The Palace served Andrew with a formal notice to surrender the Royal Lodge lease, ending weeks of public debate about the property's financial arrangements. When Andrew initially took on the 75-year lease in 2003, he paid over £8 million (approximately ₹99 crore) upfront, covering major repairs and effectively eliminating rent payments for the lease's duration.
This agreement was based on a notional annual rent of £260,000 (around ₹3.2 crore). While early lease termination could have entitled Andrew to £488,000 (approximately ₹6 crore) in compensation, subsequent Crown Estate reports indicated the property required extensive repairs, making compensation unlikely according to BBC analysis.
Epstein Association and Growing Pressure
Andrew's relocation occurs against the backdrop of escalating controversy surrounding his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The situation intensified in January 2026 when the U.S. Department of Justice released thousands of photos, videos, and documents related to Epstein investigations.
Newly released materials include three undated photographs appearing to show Andrew crouching over a woman, with one image suggesting physical contact. While LiveMint could not independently verify these images, their release has fueled public scrutiny.
Additional documents reveal September 2010 emails in which Andrew allegedly invited Epstein to Buckingham Palace for a private dinner, contradicting his previous claims of severing ties after Epstein's 2008 conviction.
Legal Settlements and Allegations
The controversy involves multiple allegations, including those from Virginia Giuffre (formerly Virginia Roberts), who claimed Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell sex-trafficked her as a minor. She alleged being forced into three sexual encounters with Andrew between 2001 and 2002.
Andrew reached an unofficial settlement with Giuffre in February 2022, reportedly worth $12 million (approximately ₹108 crore). However, the case regained attention following Giuffre's death by suicide in April 2025.
A second woman has come forward alleging Epstein trafficked her to the UK in 2010 for a sexual encounter with Andrew at Royal Lodge when she was in her twenties.
International Calls for Cooperation
Pressure continues mounting for Andrew to testify in U.S. investigations. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and American lawmakers have urged his cooperation, with Starmer emphasizing that "anybody who has got information should be prepared to share that information" and that "Epstein's victims have to be the first priority."
Andrew was last seen in Windsor on February 3, riding near his former home before driving away from Windsor Castle. He plans to return briefly to collect remaining belongings before settling permanently at Marsh Farm on the Sandringham Estate, where he will eventually establish his new Norfolk base.
