Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is confronting fresh embarrassment (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is confronting fresh embarrassment after receiving instructions to comply with new protocols surrounding his relocation to Sandringham.
The discredited former royal, who earlier this week was instructed by the King to vacate his 30-room Royal Lodge residence in Windsor following further disgrace to the Royal Family through his involvement in the latest Epstein documents, must now formally arrange any visits back to his previous residence by notifying palace staff in advance, rather than arriving at will at the monarch’s Berkshire property.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, who had all his titles and patronages removed by the King in October, departed Royal Lodge hastily on Tuesday evening, abandoning numerous possessions not yet transferred to storage. Sources indicate Andrew will need to retrieve these items, but only after submitting a formal request and securing an appointment.
One source remarked: “It’s the latest in a long line of indignities for him.
“The King was not amused in the slightest that his brother was seen out riding in Windsor and driving around the estate, waving to passers by, while the Epstein scandal was reaching more depths over the last few days. Andrew has left quite a lot of belongings behind, so he will have to return and collect them, but may only do so by strict appointment.”
For the time being, Andrew will reside in his late father Prince Philip’s former home on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, Wood Farm. This humble cottage is where the late Duke of Edinburgh spent his twilight years before passing away at the age of 99 in April 2021.
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Insiders suggest it will be a minimum of two months before Andrew can relocate to his new abode, the four-bedroom Marsh Farm on the Norfolk estate.
In the meantime, Sarah Ferguson, the erstwhile Duchess of York, who has been deeply implicated in the recent release of Epstein files, is on the hunt for a new residence after being ousted from Royal Lodge, where she cohabited with ex-spouse Andrew for two decades.
On Wednesday, a removals van was spotted entering Royal Lodge, while there was a flurry of activity near Wood Farm in Sandringham, 130 miles away, with builders’ vans seen arriving and a delivery of temporary toilets. Andrew was last publicly seen on Monday, when he was photographed horse riding and waving to onlookers whilst driving in his car in Windsor Great Park.
This follows Andrew and Fergie’s numerous appearances in the latest Epstein files, which were disclosed by the US Department of Justice on Friday. Among them were images seemingly depicting the former prince crouched over an unidentified woman on all fours in what appears to be Epstein’s New York mansion.
In a series of further damning allegations, an exotic dancer demanded $250,000 from Epstein, claiming she performed “various sex acts” on the disgraced financier and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, according to legal documents.
The unidentified woman alleges that she was driven to a party at Epstein’s Palm Beach residence in 2006, where she danced for the men before they requested a “threesome”. In a letter dated 23 March 2011, her solicitor claimed that the billionaire had broken his verbal agreement by failing to pay her the promised $10,000 for her performance at his Florida home.
On Wednesday, a removals van was spotted entering Royal Lodge (Image: ©Kelvin Bruce)
The former Duke’s claims of severing ties with his paedophile friend, made during his notorious television interview, have also been debunked. From organising a “good time” for his goddaughter visiting Buckingham Palace to arranging a dinner date with a “beautiful” 26 year old Russian, the new files reveal frequent contact between Andrew and Epstein.
In the same month, Andrew is also alleged to have told Epstein: “Wish I was still a pet in your family.”
Further damaging his already tarnished reputation, the files disclose an email from Epstein’s former lover Ghislaine Maxwell confirming the authenticity of the infamous photo of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor with his arm around his main accuser. The discredited Royal had long questioned the legitimacy of the image showing him in close contact with Virginia Giuffre when she was just 17.
His claim that the infamous 2001 photograph may have been doctored formed a key part of the defence he attempted to present during his catastrophic Newsnight interview. Andrew insisted he was at a Pizza Express in Woking with his daughter Beatrice and could not have been at Tramp nightclub in London as Giuffre alleged.
In a explosive email, Maxwell declared she was “stating for the record as fact” that she introduced the former Prince to Giuffre, confirming the image was captured at her London residence that very evening. Nevertheless, she maintained she had “no knowledge” of Ms Giuffre ‘having sexual activity’ with Andrew or any other “famous people.”
Sarah Ferguson also maintained regular correspondence with the billionaire, extending invitations to Buckingham Palace, and reportedly stating: “I am at your service. Just marry me.”
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, who had all his titles and patronages removed by the King in October (Image: Getty Images)
Meanwhile, police have confirmed they were evaluating allegations that a woman was flown to the UK by Epstein for a sexual encounter with Andrew.
Legal representatives for the woman have called upon the King to make contact following claims that their client was brought to the UK for a sexual encounter with his brother.
Brad Edwards, from the American firm Edwards Henderson, previously informed the BBC his client had spent the night with Andrew following a tour of Buckingham Palace. Andrew categorically denies any wrongdoing.
In 2022, the former duke paid a substantial sum to his main accuser, Virginia Giuffre – a woman he insists he has never met. He was stripped of his titles by the King last year following the posthumous release of a book by Ms Giuffre, in which she claimed she was trafficked by Epstein and his ex-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell when she was just 17.
The former duke was also compelled to relinquish the lease of Royal Lodge amidst widespread public outrage after it was revealed that he had been paying only a nominal rent for the mansion. This revelation sparked an investigation by the Crown Estate into why he had been granted such a profitable deal.