Daniela RelphRoyal correspondent
Getty and BBC
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has moved out of his home in Windsor to the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, the BBC understands.
The former prince left Royal Lodge on Monday night and is currently living in a temporary property on the Sandringham Estate while his permanent home undergoes renovations.
Buckingham Palace announced that Andrew would be moving from Royal Lodge in October at the same time his title of prince was removed.
Pressure has been mounting on Mountbatten-Windsor to give evidence in the US over his relationship with the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied any wrongdoing.
It is believed he will ultimately live at Marsh Farm on the estate.
Mountbatten-Windsor is expected to return to Windsor over the next few weeks to collect the remainder of his belongings but his permanent base is now officially in Norfolk.
He was last seen in Windsor on Monday, riding on horseback close to his previous home. He was also photographed driving away from Windsor Castle waving at passers by.
A statement about Royal Lodge in October said “formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease.”
It followed weeks of controversy over the amount of rent being paid to the Crown Estate who leased the property.
The Sandringham Estate is privately owned by the King and he will pay the costs of his brother’s new home.
Mountbatten-Windsor continues to be dogged by his links to Epstein, with the latest tranche of documents relating to the financier including pictures appearing to show Mountbatten-Windsor kneeling on all fours over a woman lying on the ground.
A number of email exchanges between Epstein and Mountbatten-Windsor – which came in the years after the US billionaire pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor – were also published in the files.
The encounter allegedly occurred at the former prince’s residence, Royal Lodge, in 2010. The woman, who is not British, was in her 20s at the time.
The BBC asked Mountbatten-Windsor for comment about the allegations when it was first reported, but he is yet to respond, and has previously strongly denied any wrongdoing.
