Why Charles Banished Andrew to Sandringham, Not Frogmore — It’s Not Because of William and Kate

(L) Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and King Charles speak during the Duchess of Kent's funeral; (R) Prince William and Kate Middleton depart after the Requiem Mass service for the Duchess of Kent. Cover Image Source: Getty Images| (L) Chris Jackson; (R) Karw

Nov. 03 2025, Published 03:15 AM. ET

In a not-so-surprising move, King Charles stripped Andrew Mountbatten Windsor of all his royal titles, including 'Prince.' The long-anticipated decision was interpreted as the Palace's calculated response to public outrage over the leniency shown to him over the years despite his association with Jeffrey Epstein. In its statement, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Mountbatten Windsor would vacate Royal Lodge. As per reports, it will likely to a cottage on Charles's Sandringham estate. Weighing in on the same, royal expert Cameron Walker suggested that the real reason King decided to shift the former Prince to Sandringham was because it is not taxpayer-funded.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and King Charles attend a Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. (Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Max Mumby/Indigo) — Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and King Charles attend a Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee. (Image Source: Getty Images | Max Mumby/Indigo)

A few days before the announcement, it was widely reported that Mountbatten Windsor was looking to move into Frogmore Cottage. In a conversation with GB News, Walker explained, "I think it's very telling that he's being moved to a property on the Sandringham estate, because that's owned privately by the Mountbatten-Windsor family, which means no taxpayers are funding the property." He added, "It is purely going to be funded by King Charles as the brother of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, so that is effectively as much as King Charles can do in that regard." The 'telling move,' as he noted, was a smart way for Charles to distance the monarchy from further public criticism.

The Sandringham estate in Norfolk from the outside. (Image Source: Getty Images| Radcliffe/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

Many believe simply stripping Andrew's honors would have done little to help the monarchy save face. It is, because of this reason, that Walker argues Charles and Queen Camilla expressed sympathy for abuse victims, something that Mountbatten Windsor had repeatedly failed to do. He opined, "He [Mountbatten Windsor] thought it was his birthright really, to be a Prince, and it has really set a precedent now that a Prince title can be removed if they have got themselves in such disgrace." Commenting on the lead-up to the historic decision, Walker opined that Charles always knew he had to cut off his brother but wasn't sure how to go about it without causing much of a stir.

rince Andrew, Duke of York leaves the funeral service of Patricia Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma at St Paul's Church in Knightsbridge. (Image Source: Getty Images | Mark Richards - WPA Pool ) — Andrew Mountbatten Windsor leaves the funeral service of Patricia Knatchbull in Knightsbridge. (Image Source: Getty Images | Mark Richards - WPA Pool)

The King reportedly waited until the process of stripping Mountbatten Windsor would unfold smoothly and without constitutional complications. Behind the scenes, there were months of legal consultations, coordination, and backing from senior royals. A Palace insider told PEOPLE, "The necessity of action was never in doubt. It was about finding the right time and the right mechanism to ensure it was done properly." That apparent 'right time' came when Mountbatten Windsor was, once again, in the spotlight for his controversial past, which would have painted Charles as a weak King, had he not taken action.

Shortly after Charles stripped the former Prince of his titles, PEOPLE reported that Mountbatten Windsor would relocate to a private residence on the Sandringham estate. The decision, as per reports, was encouraged by Prince William and Princess Kate, who didn't want to live close to the former Duke at Windsor. However, Mountbatten Windsor's legally binding, 'cast-iron' lease at Royal Lodge had complicated matters, as Charles was bound by oath to uphold the country's laws. Consequently, negotiations were required for the former Duke to formally surrender his lease. Mountbatten Windsor reportedly agreed to do so, only to remain closer to his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.