London, United Kingdom. Prince Andrew has moved out of Royal Lodge, his long-time home in Windsor, a royal source confirmed on Wednesday, following new revelations about his links to the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Move from Windsor to Sandringham
The Sun reported that the 65-year-old former prince had hoped to stay at Royal Lodge for longer but was moved under the cover of darkness on Monday and driven to a cottage in Sandringham, on the king’s Norfolk estate. A royal source confirmed he was now resident there, adding that he might occasionally return to Windsor in the coming weeks while a transitional phase was completed.
Reaction to newly published Epstein files
“With the latest batch of Epstein files it was made clear to him that it was time to go,” the newspaper quoted a friend as saying. “Leaving was so humiliating for him that he chose to do it under the cover of darkness.”
King Charles’ position and Andrew’s response
The report said King Charles stripped Andrew of his titles in October and said he would be moved after details emerged of his ongoing relationship with Epstein. The king has also said that his sympathy is with the victims of abuse.
New files related to Epstein published by the U.S. Justice Department on Friday included emails suggesting that Andrew maintained regular contact with Epstein for more than two years after he was found guilty of child sex crimes. Andrew has denied wrongdoing in connection with Epstein and had previously denied maintaining ties with the financier after Epstein’s 2008 conviction, apart from a 2010 visit to New York to end their relationship.
What do you think the transition period back to Windsor could involve for Prince Andrew?