Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has settled into his new residence on the Sandringham Estate, but not before disrupting his brother Edward and sister-in-law Sophie’s Easter plans.
The 66-year-old former Duke of York has transitioned from Wood Farm in Norfolk, where he stayed temporarily, to his permanent home at Marsh Farm, where he spent his first night.
Yesterday, Andrew was seen taking a solitary 20-minute walk between the two properties, accompanied only by his dogs.
With his head lowered and appearing deep in thought, Andrew made his way to his new abode.
Shortly before his arrival, members of his staff were spotted at the farm, bringing in bags to the five-bedroom house that has been under renovation for several months.
Initially, Andrew’s move was planned for Easter, following his stay at Wood Farm since February, after King Charles asked him to leave the Royal Lodge in Windsor, which he previously shared with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
He was kicked to the curb from that address due to details of his – and his ex’s – links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
But the move to Marsh Farm came too late for the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, who had reportedly hoped to use Wood Farm over the Easter weekend.
The former Duke of York, 66, was spotted making the trip from Wood Farm to Marsh Farm, on the Sandringham Estate, with only his dogs for company, on Monday
Marsh Farm (pictured) has undergone months of renovations including the installation of a new security fence
The couple regularly book the property for their annual getaway, but this year stayed in Gardens House because Andrew was ‘reluctant to leave’ the Norfolk bolthole.
His brother Edward, 62, who is four years younger than Andrew, became the first royal to pay a visit to his sibling since he began his exile in Norfolk two months ago.
The Duke reportedly had a ‘quiet word’ with Andrew, who was understood to be dragging his heels at his temporary accommodation.
Instead, the couple spent the holiday at Gardens House, a four-bedroom property also located on the Sandringham Estate.
The property is commonly rented out to members of the public for a weekly price of up to £4,110.
It came after the ex-prince received two other unexpected guests last week, when two members of the public attempted to climb his fence.
Security concerns were sparked when a red car pulled up outside Andrew’s new permanent home at Marsh Farm on Thursday.
Two people got out and proceeded to scale the exterior gate before attempting to peer over a newly erected 6ft fence in front of the farmhouse.
Andrew had his head bowed and seemed lost in thought as he made the journey to his new home yesterday afternoon
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh had planned to use Wood Farm for their annual Easter break, but Andrew was still residing there at the time
Pictures showed a man and a girl standing on top of the gate while trying to catch a glimpse inside the property.
Extensive renovations have been made to the former Victorian working farm where Andrew has now permanently relocated, including luxury carpets, a Sky dish, a fast broadband connection and a security fence.
Over the last couple of weeks, hundreds of boxes, believed to contain Andrew’s belongings, have been delivered, many with HRH written on the side.
A large white mobile home has also been erected in the grounds for his security staff to live in.
Marsh Farm, which includes a main house with two reception rooms, a kitchen and several outbuildings, is believed to have stood empty for at least five years.
It lies on a flood plain two miles away from King Charles’s main Sandringham House and is cut off from the rest of Norfolk by the Dersingham Bog.
Over the last two weeks, Andrew has been spotted making regular trips to Marsh Farm to inspect the property before moving in.
He has been keeping a low profile in Norfolk since his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office on his 66th birthday on February 19.
But he was seen smiling as he drove his Range Rover around the estate on Monday.
A series of highly embarrassing photos and emails emerged surrounding Andrew’s friendship with Epstein as part of the files released by the US Department of Justice.
He also stands accused of sharing confidential information with the paedophile during his time as a trade ambassador for the UK Government.
