Removal vans rolled through the gates of Royal Lodge this week, signaling an accelerated end to Prince Andrew's long-standing residence at the Windsor estate and a definitive break in his unusual living arrangement with Sarah Ferguson. The move marks the first time in nearly 20 years that the former royal couple will no longer share a home, according to people familiar with the situation.
The departure of Prince Andrew from the 30-room mansion in Windsor Great Park follows formal steps initiated last year by King Charles III to sever his younger brother's remaining ties to royal property. Photographs of a large removal van entering Royal Lodge on Wednesday underscored the speed of the exit, which sources said could be completed by the end of January or before Andrew's 66th birthday on Feb. 19.
A friend of Andrew described the decision as an effort to regain control amid mounting pressure. "He's finally decided he needs to get on with his life and so is moving out sooner than thought and starting afresh by the end of the month, or at least before his birthday in February," the friend said. The same source added: "He and Sarah will go their own separate ways for the first time in almost 20 years. Apart from involvement with the children and grandchildren, they will live separate lives."
Andrew and Sarah Ferguson divorced in 1996 but continued to live together at Royal Lodge from 2008, forming an arrangement that endured intense public scrutiny. That cohabitation is now ending as Andrew prepares to relocate to Marsh Farm, a five-bedroom property on the Sandringham Estate, near the village of Wolferton.
Renovations at Marsh Farm have intensified in recent weeks, with workers installing fencing, drainage and CCTV systems. Those familiar with the property said it is "a lot, lot smaller and less luxurious than Royal Lodge," a stark contrast to the grandeur Andrew has known for decades. Engineers from Sky VIP have also been brought in to upgrade connectivity, while the farmhouse undergoes extensive work to make it habitable.
Andrew is not expected to move directly into Marsh Farm. Instead, he is likely to relocate temporarily to a smaller residence elsewhere on the Sandringham estate, possibly Wood Farm or York Cottage, until renovations are completed around Easter.
Ferguson, by contrast, is charting an independent path. A spokesperson said she is "exploring several options at the moment, and no final choice has been reached." Reports indicate she is seeking a property in the Windsor area, close to her daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, but separate from Andrew.
The forced exit follows renewed scrutiny of Andrew's past association with Jeffrey Epstein, which led King Charles in October 2025 to strip Andrew of his remaining royal titles, styling and honors. Andrew has denied wrongdoing and previously paid millions to settle a civil lawsuit, but the palace's decision left him as a private citizen without claim to Royal Lodge.
