Sandringham Estate: The Historic Royal Retreat Where Former Prince Andrew Will Begin His New Life

Sandringham functions as both a private royal residence and a popular public attraction.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, has been divested of his royal titles and instructed to vacate Royal Lodge in Windsor, his longtime residence, due to his connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

King Charles III has decided that the former Duke of York will be relocated to the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, which belongs to the King's private portfolio.

His royal titles and honors have been officially removed, his 75-year lease on the 30-room Royal Lodge has been terminated, and he now faces a future of quiet seclusion at one of the crown's most historically significant country properties.

Andrew is not anticipated to reside in the main Sandringham House, which remains exclusively for King Charles. Instead, several smaller residences on the Norfolk estate are under consideration for him. These include York Cottage, previously gifted to King George V and Queen Mary; Gardens House, an Edwardian red-brick residence currently used as a holiday rental; and The Folly, a restored 19th-century hunting lodge offering panoramic views. Park House, Princess Diana's childhood home, and Wood Farm, where Prince Philip spent his retirement, are also possibilities, though less probable. Anmer Hall, the residence of the Prince and Princess of Wales, has been completely excluded from consideration.

Sandringham is situated approximately 160 km north of London in Norfolk's countryside, encompassing over 20,000 acres of parkland, gardens, woodlands, and farmland. Acquired in 1862 by Queen Victoria for her son, the future Edward VII, it has served as the private residence for six generations of British monarchs.

It remains among the few royal properties not owned by the Crown Estate but privately held by the sovereign, meaning King Charles possesses the authority to determine who may reside there.

For more than 150 years, Sandringham has served as a retreat for Britain's royal family, hosting Christmas gatherings and family milestones. St. Mary Magdalene Church on the estate is where the Windsor family famously attends Christmas morning services each year.

Sandringham House was completed in 1870. It features a ballroom, guest accommodations, and has undergone renovations under various monarchs. King George V once declared it "the place I love better than anywhere else in the world," while his son, King George VI, wrote that he had "always been happy here."

It was at Sandringham that Queen Elizabeth II recorded her first televised Christmas broadcast in 1957, and it remained her most cherished retreat until her death. The surrounding estate includes an organic farm, a sawmill, and numerous cottages and properties distributed across local parishes.

Today, Sandringham serves dual purposes as both a royal residence and a tourist destination. Visitors can tour the house and gardens, explore its 600-acre royal park, or enjoy afternoon tea in the estate's courtyard.

Unlike Windsor's Royal Lodge, which belongs to the Crown Estate, Sandringham is privately owned by the King. Andrew's relocation will be privately financed by Charles, who is also expected to provide limited financial support for his brother's living expenses.

Sarah Ferguson, Andrew's former wife and long-time housemate, will make her own living arrangements and will not join him in Norfolk. Their two corgis, Muick and Sandy, previously owned by the late Queen Elizabeth II, are expected to remain in the family's care.