The future living arrangements for the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, and his ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, are becoming clearer, with reports suggesting a significant split in their plans.
Andrew's Reported Rejection of Royal Offer
According to recent reports, Prince Andrew is planning to refuse the offer of a new home on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. The property, known as Marsh Farm, is part of King Charles III's private 20,000-acre estate but has been described as a collection of "ramshackle" buildings requiring serious renovation.
This follows the news that Andrew and Sarah will be leaving their long-term residence, the 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor. The Mirror reported that this move is of Andrew's own accord, as he holds an "iron-clad" lease with the Crown Estate, making it nearly impossible to force him out.
Eyes on a Luxurious Exit Abroad
Royal experts now believe the former prince is looking far beyond the UK for his next chapter. Royal biographer Robert Jobson told People magazine he believes Andrew will seek a life of luxury in the Middle East, leveraging connections from his time as a UK trade envoy.
"The King saw the King of Bahrain the other day. One never knows - it could be a place where Andrew gets the recognition of being the second son of Queen Elizabeth, rather than this," Mr Jobson suggested. He added that other figures, like Spain's former King Juan Carlos I, have retreated to the region to escape scrutiny.
Author Andrew Lownie, who wrote a biography of the couple, echoed this sentiment. "He doesn't like the sound of being on the Sandringham estate, I think he wants to go somewhere where he can get away from everything," Lownie stated.
Sarah Ferguson's Separate Path in the UK
While Andrew may be looking overseas, it has been confirmed that Sarah Ferguson will not be joining him. Instead, the 66-year-old is reportedly searching for a new home of her own, likely within the Windsor area where she has lived for years.
Her daughters have both reportedly offered her accommodation. Princess Eugenie, who owns a property in an exclusive area of Portugal, has allegedly set aside a "grand suite" for her mother. Meanwhile, Princess Beatrice has offered a converted cattle shed at her Cotswolds home as a potential "granny annex".
A source close to Sarah reminded People that she is a "fighter". However, Andrew Lownie offered a more critical perspective on her public persona, suggesting she often plays the victim to sympathetic audiences, particularly in the United States.
The timeline for their departure from Royal Lodge has also shifted. Initially expected to leave early in 2026, it now appears the handover of keys will happen later than first anticipated.
