In preparation for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s anticipated move, workers are busy installing Sky TV and erecting a new security fence at a dilapidated farm that is set to become his new residence.
Marsh Farm, located on the King’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, is undergoing significant renovations to welcome the former Duke, who is planning to vacate Royal Lodge ahead of his 66th birthday next month.
Technicians from Sky have been observed scaling ladders to fit equipment onto the walls of the red brick farmhouse situated in Wolferton, just two miles from the Monarch’s Sandringham House.
In addition to the technological updates, a sturdy six-foot-high wooden fence is being erected, replacing the previous wire barrier that offered passersby a clear view from the road.
Construction workers have been employing heavy machinery, such as a JCB digger, and installing security lighting along the property’s walls. A van from a local security company has also been spotted parked on the gravel driveway, indicating the installation of advanced security measures.
A dedicated crew of at least six individuals has been working tirelessly, braving the cold and wet conditions this week to complete the upgrades.
All these modifications are believed to be in anticipation of Andrew moving into the house, after he handed back the lease to Royal Lodge – where removal vans were spotted this morning – in October.
He will first move into a temporary, smaller property on the King’s Norfolk estate as early as the end of this month.
A Sky engineer up a ladder against the wall of Marsh Farm. The technicians were wearing uniforms with Sky VIP written on them
A team of at least six has been toiling through the cold and the rain this week at the farm
Workers are getting the place ready for Andrew’s arrival around Easter time, it is believed
A solid, six-foot high wooden fence has sprung up around parts of the perimeter with the help of a JCB
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor rides in the pouring rain on the Windsor Estate on Tuesday morning
He is set to stay there until Easter, when the work on Marsh Farm is scheduled to be finished.
A Palace insider told The Sun: ‘The snow or rain hasn’t delayed the work on Marsh Farm but it still needs a lot of attention to make it habitable.’
‘But one thing for sure is that it is a lot, lot smaller and less luxurious than Royal Lodge.’
It is understood that the farmhouse and the surrounding outhouses previously belonged to a former tenant who died some time ago.
Drones were banned from flying over the property last autumn.
The Sandringham no-fly zone was extended at the end of last year to include the property.
The farm lies in the secluded village of Wolferton, which has a church and a social club, but no pubs or village shops.
It is also near the King’s Wood Farm estate, where Prince Philip lived after his retirement.
A workman measures up for the installation of new security lights on one of the red brick walls
A JCB digger and a van from a local security firm were parked on the driveway this week
Marsh Farm is much smaller than Andrew is used to at Royal Lodge in Windsor
The wooden panelling replaces the flimsy wire that stood before and allowed a good view from the road
Marsh Farm is two miles west of the Monarch’s Sandringham House
Andrew reportedly wanted to live at Wood Farm, a five-bedroom cottage, but there were concerns that would leave him ‘too close’ to the rest of the family.
On Saturday, the Daily Mail revealed how Andrew’s Royal Lodge mansion was not once inspected by officials in the 22 years he lived there rent-free.
When the lease for the 30-room home was signed in 2003, it included unique terms which included no rent but a costly upfront refurbishment and upkeep schedule.
The disgraced royal paid £8million to repair the then-dilapidated property, and promised to allow inspectors in at ‘all reasonable times’ to make sure he looked after it.
In return, his estate landlord, the independent company which manages Crown properties for the benefit of the taxpayer, allowed him to pay no rent for the duration of the 75-year lease.
But not one Crown Estate official carried out an inspection of Royal Lodge in the whole time Andrew lived there – raising concerns of a ‘sweetheart deal’ at taxpayers’ expense.
Andrew has still been living there with his former wife, Sarah Ferguson, while work is completed ahead of their move.
A friend of Andrew’s told the Sun: ‘He’s finally decided he needs to get on with his life and so is moving out sooner than thought and starting afresh by the end of the month, or at least before his birthday in February. He and Sarah will go their own separate ways for the first time in almost 20 years.’
Fergie has lived with her disgraced ex-husband in the Grade II-listed mansion since 2008, despite divorcing in 1996.
The former duchess, once told the Daily Mail: ‘We’re the happiest divorced couple in the world. We’re divorced to each other, not from each other.’
She is reportedly continuing to look for a new property, and it is understood that she is considering a ‘granny annexe’ in the Cotswolds next to Princess Beatrice or moving to Portugal with Princess Eugenie.
Andrew has been forced out of Royal Lodge and public life in the face of a snowballing scandal over his relationship with the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s victims, claimed she had been forced to have sex with Andrew on three occasions when she was 17.
Andrew has always denied the allegations but paid millions in a settlement to Ms Giuffre, who passed away in April last year.
Emails surfaced last year that revealed Andrew maintained his relationship with Epstein for longer than he had admitted, and also that the then-prince did meet Ms Giuffre – despite his assertions to the contrary.
Under pressure from his brother, King Charles, Andrew relinquished his titles, before his status as prince was finally stripped in November.
