Prince Andrew Moves Out of Royal Lodge as Police Assess New Epstein-Linked Allegations

Prince Andrew Moves Out of Royal Lodge as Police Assess New Epstein-Linked Allegations

The former Prince Andrew has vacated his home in Windsor, three months after his brother, King Charles, ordered him to surrender the lease as part of a historic removal of his royal titles and honors.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor moved out of his 30-room mansion in Windsor Great Park on Monday, Feb. 2, PEOPLE confirms. He is expected to reside temporarily at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk before relocating to another nearby property undergoing renovations.

PEOPLE understands that occasional visits back to Windsor in the coming weeks are expected as the transitional phase is completed.

The confirmation of his departure comes amid renewed scrutiny surrounding his association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following the release of new files and fresh allegations that have prompted Thames Valley Police to assess claims relating to events said to have taken place at Royal Lodge in 2010.

Thames Valley Police said in a statement to PEOPLE, “We are aware of reports about a woman said to have been taken to an address in Windsor in 2010 for sexual purposes. We are assessing the information in line with our established procedures.”

“We take any reports of sexual crimes extremely seriously and encourage anyone with information to come forward. At this time, these allegations have not been reported to Thames Valley Police by either the lawyer or their client,” the police added.

Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park.

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A lawyer representing one woman told the BBC on Jan. 31, that his client was allegedly sent to the U.K. by Epstein in 2010 to have sex with by Andrew at Royal Lodge when she was in her 20s. The lawyer further claimed she was later given a tour of Buckingham Palace. She is the first woman to publicly allege an encounter with Andrew at a royal residence.

The lawyer, Brad Edwards, also represented Virginia Giuffre, who accused Andrew of sexual abuse when she was 17 — allegations he has consistently denied. Giuffre died by suicide in April 2025, and her posthumously published memoir renewed pressure on Andrew by restating her claims.

The former Duke of York has repeatedly denied Giuffre’s allegations and reached a settlement with her in 2022. He has been contacted by PEOPLE regarding the latest claims.

Speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai on Feb. 3, Andrew’s younger brother, Prince Edward, became the first senior royal to publicly address the latest Epstein-related developments, saying it was “really important to remember the victims.”

Andrew’s move follows an Oct. 30 Buckingham Palace statement confirming that King Charles had initiated a formal process to remove his brother’s style, titles and honors, and had ordered him to surrender his lease on Royal Lodge.

Andrew had lived at the Windsor estate since 2003, and his continued residence there had been a point of contention since he stepped back from royal duties in 2019.

As Andrew departs Royal Lodge, his former wife, Sarah Ferguson, has also moved out — a shift that comes as she, too, faces renewed scrutiny following the latest release of Epstein-related documents.

In the most recent file drop from the U.S. Department of Justice, several alleged email correspondences between Ferguson and Jeffrey Epstein surfaced, drawing fresh attention to her past association with the disgraced financier. Ferguson has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

The former Duchess of York, who divorced Andrew in 1996 but continued living with him at Royal Lodge, is relocating independently. A source previously told PEOPLE that she “has never asked for a property or any provision for herself” and will continue to “forge an independent life.”

The former Duke and Duchess of York share daughters Princess Beatrice, 37, and Princess Eugenie, 35.

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