Andrew Is Having a ‘Very Nice Time’ in Norfolk and Not ‘Feeling Sorry’ for Himself, Source Says
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has reportedly not really left behind his charmed life after being forced to move to Norfolk.
In recent times, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been a rather divisive figure. After his February arrest and subsequent ouster from Royal Lodge, it felt, in many ways, like a repercussion that had been several years in the making. However, tucked away from the world in Marsh Farm, the disgraced royal may not have been living the life of a punished person.
A source warned The Times not to 'believe' Mountbatten-Windsor, saying, “He’s having a very nice time, thank you very much.” And while stepping away from a 30-room mansion to a five-bedroom house might seem like a step down, the former Duke of York hasn’t totally left behind his charmed lifestyle. "He goes out, he goes off shooting with friends, he sees his old chums who are very loyal to him,” the source added.
One could argue that there was a lot for Mountbatten-Windsor to introspect on. However, the source mentioned that he wasn’t “sitting around feeling sorry for himself any more”. Earlier this week, he decided to take legal action against Thames Valley Police to quash search warrants, and is reportedly “utterly convinced” he will win the legal battle. In fact, he is said to be "buoyant” and “upbeat,” which are definitely not traits one would use to describe someone in his situation.
The source further mentioned how the conversation between him and his legal team would have happened. "There appears to have been a ‘something must be done’ moment where his lawyers, to appease him, will have said 'Don’t worry, sir, we will handle it’,” they said. It is believed that he has recently received invitations to dinners at the Norfolk estate after taking legal action.
In February this year, the disgraced royal was arrested on suspicion of misconduct while in public office. It, embarrassingly enough, happened on his 66th birthday, an awkward coincidence that would reportedly have left him “seething about the indignity” of it. "The idea that it was vindictive,” the source added.
The case will be heard in the High Court on Thursday, but the former Duke will find no support from Buckingham Palace in the matter. In fact, he is barred from using King Charles’ private funds to finance the legal action. And while he may have re-entered society in some shape or form, his appearance within the royal fold still seems unlikely.
