For months, speculation has swirled around whether the Duke of York would be forced to downsize from Royal Lodge, the sprawling 30-room home in Windsor where he has lived since 2003. The prevailing theory was that he would relocate to a more modest residence on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk. But new reporting suggests that scenario may never materialize.
Andrew could ultimately choose to leave the United Kingdom altogether. Royal biographer Robert Jobson said the Middle East has emerged as a plausible destination, citing Andrew’s past relationships and business ties in the region, according to People.
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Jobson pointed to King Charles III’s recent meeting with the King of Bahrain as a subtle but telling signal. “One never knows,” he said, suggesting Andrew might find a place abroad where he is still acknowledged as the second son of Queen Elizabeth II, rather than being defined by the scandal that ended his public royal life.
The idea of a self-imposed royal exile would not be unprecedented. Spain’s former monarch, King Juan Carlos I, has lived in Abu Dhabi since 2020 after a series of financial controversies. Jobson noted that disgraced public figures have often sought distance and discretion in the Middle East, adding that Andrew, who turns 66 in February, is “still relatively young.”
Meanwhile, enthusiasm for a move to Sandringham appears low. Royal biographer Andrew Lownie told People that Andrew has little interest in relocating there. “He wants to go somewhere where he can just get away from everything,” Lownie said, describing the estate as unappealing to someone accustomed to privilege and autonomy.
Others echo that sentiment. A source familiar with Sandringham life told The Telegraph that the environment would likely feel isolating and uncomfortable for Andrew. While the estate is active and staffed, the source described it as remote, cold, and exposed to harsh coastal winds. “It does have a certain beauty,” the insider said, “but life will be bleak for him.”
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Compounding the issue is the dramatic shift in Andrew’s status. Since losing his military roles, royal patronages, and the right to use the HRH style, his daily life has changed sharply. Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told The Guardian that losing titles and privilege would be especially difficult for someone with Andrew’s personality, calling the adjustment “a living hell.”
Royal historian Robert Hardman offered perhaps the starkest assessment, telling Sky News that Andrew has effectively been “treated as an enemy of the state.”
Whether Andrew ends up on a quiet Norfolk farm or in a luxury residence thousands of miles away, one thing is clear: his future is no longer anchored to royal tradition. Increasingly, it looks like an attempt to disappear from public view entirely.
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