Andrew Wanted a Home 'Too Close' to the Royal Family Before Settling on 'Shoebox-Sized' Lodging
Before settling for Marsh Farm, Andrew allegedly requested Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's secluded home on the Sandringham estate.
Now spending his final Christmas at Royal Lodge in solitude, far away from the royal family's more festive celebrations, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is reportedly set to relocate to Marsh Farm on the Sandringham estate in 2026. However, before settling for the 'shoebox-sized' residence, it is said that he allegedly eyed a more secluded home to hide from public view. According to reports, the former Prince had initially requested Wood Farm but was denied, as it was deemed 'too close' to the royal family's Christmas abode at Sandringham.
Regarding the former Prince's upcoming move, insiders have claimed that Mountbatten-Windsor had finally agreed to swap his 30-room mansion for a 'shoebox-sized' holding property on the King's private Norfolk estate. Days later, The Sun reported that the property in question could be Marsh Farm, noting that a no-fly zone had been extended to cover the area, possibly to protect his privacy. Before settling on Marsh Farm, a source told the Daily Mail that the former Duke of York had allegedly expressed interest in moving into his late father Prince Philip's former retirement home, Wood Farm. However, concerns were reportedly raised that he would be 'too close' to the rest of the family on Christmas, leading to the request being denied.
Wood Farm was a beloved residence of both the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, and a place where Mountbatten-Windsor had stayed previously. The modest five-bedroom farmhouse offered the monarchs a rare sense of normalcy away from royal traditions and protocol. Prince Philip, in particular, cherished Wood Farm as a private retreat, choosing it as his primary residence after stepping back from public duties in 2017. Queen Elizabeth often joined him there, valuing the simplicity, privacy, and freedom it offered. Previous reports have suggested that if Mountbatten-Windsor were to relocate to the Sandringham estate, it would likely be in one of his late father's former modest properties.
While Mountbatten-Windsor appeared to have agreed to downsize his residence, friends of his alleged that he may likely leave the UK in the future. A source, claiming to be his friend, stressed, "He [Andrew] could relocate to the Middle East, where he has long-established business contacts." Due to the sheer number of possessions, his upcoming relocation has reportedly become a prolonged operation. An insider spilled that some anterooms in Royal Lodge were "piled to the ceiling with documents and photographs." Meanwhile, another added, "The clutter at Royal Lodge is turning what should be a straightforward move into a months-long, room-by-room excavation. These aren't the kind of belongings you can sweep into a skip. Even if Andrew wanted to move tomorrow, he couldn't."
Before allegedly demanding to reside on Wood Farm, reports suggested his top choice was Frogmore Cottage. It appeared that the disgraced royal may have secured his preference, as Frogmore began undergoing intensive renovations, possibly for his arrival. So far, Buckingham Palace has remained mum about his next royal residence, and Mountbatten-Windsor isn't in a hurry to vacate Royal Lodge anytime soon.
