Prince Andrew is expected to delay his move from Royal Lodge until early next year, reportedly to prevent disruption during the British royal family’s traditional Christmas gathering.
British media, citing palace sources, indicate the Duke of York’s departure from the sprawling Windsor estate property will be postponed to avoid awkwardness during the festive season. Members of the royal family traditionally convene at Sandringham for Christmas.
King Charles III had last week directed his younger brother to vacate the residence and cease using his royal status. Andrew, who has been stripped of most of his titles and privileges, is slated to relocate to a private accommodation within the King’s private Sandringham estate.
All of Andrew’s future expenses and maintenance at Sandringham will be underwritten by King Charles.
Despite these changes, Andrew remains eighth in the line of succession to the British throne, a significant position that he still retains.
The British government has confirmed it has no current plans to legislate his removal from the succession list. Such a move would require parliamentary approval not only in the United Kingdom but also across Commonwealth nations like Australia and Canada, a process deemed complex and time-consuming.
The directive for Andrew to move and his loss of royal duties follow sustained public pressure linked to his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing in the affair. In 2022, he paid an undisclosed financial settlement to Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual abuse, to resolve a civil lawsuit.
Public criticism has continued to weigh on the monarchy. A recent YouGov poll indicated that 79% of the public supported stripping Andrew of his titles. More than half of respondents believed King Charles made the correct decision, though some felt the action should have been taken sooner.
While the palace maintains the move from Royal Lodge, a property once inhabited by his mother, Queen Elizabeth, will occur “at the appropriate time,” insider reports point to an early next year timeline.