Andrew Will Be Forced to Do Surprising Tasks for Himself After Eviction
Former Duke of York faces scaled-back life with reduced staff after leaving Royal Lodge amid ongoing Epstein fallout.
Born into privilege, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has spent his life surrounded by staff and butlers, rarely required to manage even the simplest domestic tasks himself. But after his departure from Royal Lodge, that long-standing routine is expected to shift in the basic practical realities of everyday life. Mountbatten-Windsor has officially vacated the Windsor property he shared with his former wife, Sarah Fergusson. His exit follows sustained pressure over his association with convicted offender Jeffrey Epstein and renewed public attention after the posthumous publication of Virginia Giuffre’s memoir, Nobody’s Girl, after which he ended up losing his titles and patronages.
According to reports, one of the most immediate changes will be domestic rather than the constitutional ones that have already happened. With long-serving aides departing and staffing levels reduced, Mountbatten-Windsor is expected to take on basic household tasks himself—including something he has rarely, if ever, had to do. A source told The Sun, “People who have been with him for years are off. It will likely be a skeleton staff at best. It’s possible for the first time in his life he will have to open the front door to people himself.” The staffing shift appears to be a huge deal. Another insider said, “Because the lease to Royal Lodge was handed back, they also lost their homes. They were offered far smaller accommodation. But no one wanted to go to Sandringham to work for him. It’s in the middle of nowhere.”
At the King’s Norfolk estate, where Mountbatten-Windsor is currently staying at Wood Farm before a planned move to Marsh Farm, employees have reportedly been given the choice of whether to work for him. According to the outlet, staff have been told they are under no obligation to serve the disgraced former prince if they feel uncomfortable. One source claimed that reluctance is widespread. “They’ve been told they don’t have to serve Andrew or work for him if they feel uncomfortable. There is already quite a list saying no thanks,” the insider said. “There is understandably a lot of disquiet as he is now a total pariah. But there is also a worry that once he gets comfortable at Wood Farm, while Marsh Farm is being finished, they will never get him out again.”
Despite the resistance, it is believed Mountbatten-Windsor will retain a small team—reportedly including a valet, a butler, and a chef. However, once he moves permanently into Marsh Farm, expected at the start of April, he will be responsible for finding and funding his own staff.
The outlet also reports that affected staff have been offered severance packages, though the upheaval extends beyond employees alone. Tenants living in six cottages on the grounds of the 31-room property—many of whom were involved in maintaining the estate or were former and retired staff—have also been asked to leave.
Mountbatten-Windsor left Royal Lodge in the dark of the night last week and relocated to Norfolk. It was also reported that King Charles 'accelerated' Mountbatten-Windsor's move from Royal Lodge. Speaking to The Daily Mail, a source said Mountbatten-Windsor was “dispatched by car to the depths of Norfolk” in a move that was “hastily arranged and done under the radar, leaving Royal Lodge staff to pack up what remains of Andrew’s belongings.”
