Andrew, the civilian formerly known as 'prince,' faces an uncertain
future
[November 01, 2025]
By BRIAN MELLEY
LONDON (AP) — He has lost his title as prince, lost his rent-free
mansion on the sprawling grounds next to Windsor Castle and lost
whatever remained of his reputation in the public eye.
What is next for the commoner once known as Prince Andrew probably
involves a fleet of moving trucks as he packs up the trappings of his
once royal life to move to an isolated private home owned by his
brother, King Charles III.
But life as he knew it will change dramatically given the king's
unprecedented act to protect the monarchy by stripping his younger
brother of his titles and evicting him to punish him for serious lapses
of judgment over his friendship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“On a personal level, it must be pretty devastating and the ultimate
humiliation for him," said Joe Little, editor of Majesty Magazine. “We
know him to be rather an arrogant character, but this has got to be
taking its toll on him mentally. It would be very strange if it
weren’t.”
Downsizing his digs
It was not exactly clear what house the civilian now known as Andrew
Mountbatten Windsor will occupy on the king’s private estate at
Sandringham 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of London. But it will
undoubtedly be smaller than Royal Lodge, the 30-room luxurious home that
belies its rustic name.
As the Epstein drama was reignited recently by revelations that Andrew
stayed friends with the disgraced financier longer than he previously
disclosed, his hold on the Windsor property became tenuous despite a
“cast-iron” lease.
Andrew spent about 8.5 million pounds on renovations and a down payment
in 2003 when he got a 75-year lease to the property. It required an
annual rent of a mere peppercorn (if demanded), a historic and symbolic
figure often used in real estate transactions.
Andrew, 65, did not put up a fight when he was served notice to
surrender the lease to the home on 99 acres (50 hectares) that includes
a swimming pool, several cottages and a bird enclosure.
He will move as soon as practical to Sandringham, the longtime refuge
for Charles on 20,000 acres (8,000 hectares) along the wind-swept North
Sea coast of eastern England.
How soon Andrew will move, however, was not disclosed, but it's not
expected before the family gathers there for Christmas when they are
typically seen walking to church. Andrew is not expected to be there for
the event.
Impact on the family
The move to insulate the crown from the scandal-tainted Andrew will not
affect just the former prince.
Ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who was also ensnared in the Epstein scandal,
had shared Royal Lodge with him. Ferguson, who is no longer known as the
Duchess of York, will have to find a new place to live.
The couple's daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, however,
will retain their titles along with the honorary HRH — her royal
highness — because they are the granddaughters of a sovereign, Queen
Elizabeth II.
King's private purse to prop up brother
The king is stepping in with his private wealth to financially support
his brother, whose money woes have been at the heart of previous
scandals over shady business deals and questionable relationships.
Andrew ceased being a working member of the royal family since he was
suspended from duties following a disastrous 2019 interview in which he
tried to defend his relationship with Epstein. He has no known source of
income beyond a modest pension from his 22-year Royal Navy career.
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A TV presenter holds a newspaper with a picture of prince Andrew as
she talks to the camera at a gate near to the Royal Lodge, following
the announcement that Prince Andrew will be stripped of his titles
and leave the 30-room mansion he has occupied for more than 20 years
in Windsor, England, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025.(AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
George Gross, a royal expert at King’s College London, said the
financial arrangement makes sense. It shields the king from
criticism Andrew is drawing from public coffers and shows he's not
abandoning his brother.
“If Andrew is unable to be a working royal, and presumably is
unemployable, then there has to be a little bit of thought as to
what on earth is done with him for the remainder of his life,” Gross
said. “It’s clearly important that he’s provided for in some ways,
because otherwise he becomes a potential pawn for anybody with
negative or bad intentions.”
Further possible consequences
Until now, Andrew's royal privilege provided a layer of protection
for him. But his diminished status and calls for accountability
could expose him to consequences outside the control of the House of
Windsor.
A parliamentary committee is looking into how he could afford to
maintain Royal Lodge and a lavish lifestyle, despite not paying
rent, with no major source of income in recent years.
Andrew previously settled a U.S. sexual abuse lawsuit for millions
of dollars with Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who died by suicide in
April at the age of 41. Giuffre said she was 17 when she was
trafficked by Epstein to have sex with Andrew in London.
Andrew has repeatedly denied having sex with Giuffre or committing
any crimes.
Giuffre's family has called for Andrew to face further legal
consequences. Police are investigating a claim that he asked one of
this police bodyguards to dig up dirt on Giuffre.
Historian Andrew Lownie, who wrote a recent biography of Andrew and
Ferguson, said he believes there are grounds to investigate
allegations ranging from sex trafficking to misconduct in public
office.
“I don’t think it’s the end of it, I think there are many more
disclosures to come,” Lownie, the author of “Entitled: The Rise and
Fall of the House of York,” told the BBC.
Still in line to be king
Despite losing his nobility, Andrew remains eighth in line to the
throne.
Removing him from the line of succession would require action from
Parliament and that is unlikely at this point.
Lawmakers could have removed Andrew's titles, but the king took
action in part to spare the government from wasting time on the
matter.
Whether there's an appetite to take up the succession issue later —
or if the Epstein saga continues to bring damaging headlines — is
unknown.
While he's technically in line to be king some day, Gross said: “Of
course, that’s entirely unrealistic.”
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