As Andrew Loses His Titles and Home, What’s Next for Sarah Ferguson’s Living Situation?
After sharing Royal Lodge with her former husband for over two decades, it's time for Sarah Ferguson to say goodbye. Buckingham Palace has confirmed that King Charles has officially begun the formal process of stripping his younger brother, Andrew, of his honors and titles. Earlier this month, the disgraced royal had relinquished his dukedom, but with the latest move, he would no longer be a ‘Prince,’ and will go by the name ‘Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.’ Along with this, he has also been asked to vacate his 30-room residence, despite having a ‘cast-iron’ lease. While the 65-year-old has reportedly been given a private accommodation at Sandringham, questions remain about where his former wife will move next.
In an unusual arrangement, the divorced couple had lived at the Grade II-listed property since the early 2000s under a lease that was originally set to run until 2078. However, in an official statement, the Palace has now issued a formal notice to surrender the lease. “Formal notice has today been served to surrender the lease. The move will take place as soon as practicable,” Buckingham Palace said on October 30. While Andrew is reportedly expected to move into an unnamed property on the Sandringham estate, owned by Charles, Ferguson is expected to make her own living arrangements.
Previously, it was reported that Andrew wanted Frogmore Cottage, while Ferguson was eyeing Prince William and Princess Kate’s Adelaide Cottage as a part of their reported ‘double property exchange.’ But with Charles's latest move, it appears that the plan is off the table, with neither getting their desired royal homes. The recent announcement also follows renewed attention to the former prince’s ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The posthumous memoir of Virginia Giuffre also hit shelves on October 21, possibly forcing the Firm to make fast decisions before any further revelations about the 65-year-old tarnish the reputation of the monarchy.
The former Duchess’s own emails with Epstein led to her being dropped by several charities earlier this year. While both continue to deny any wrongdoing, the reputational damage has been substantial for them and, by extension, the royal family. Acknowledging the wider impact in its statement, the Palace noted, “His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease, and he will move to alternative private accommodation. These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him."
The statement concluded with, “Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.” While Ferguson’s next home is not known yet, she may likely wish to live close to her daughters. Princess Beatrice lives at St. James’s Palace in London, while Princess Eugenie resides at Ivy Cottage on the Kensington Palace estate. Interestingly, both the princesses quietly jetted abroad before their father faced another round of royal bashing.