Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s Belongings Set on Fire Following King Charles’ Orders
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor‘s past association and involvement with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein cost him not only his royal titles but also the home he occupied for more than two decades.
In October 2025, Buckingham Palace released a statement that read, “Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor … [Andrew’s] lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease.
“These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him. Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.”
In January, a fresh batch of Epstein files showing Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson‘s names hundreds of times, were released. And at that point, the former prince’s move was accelerated. Under the cover of night, Andrew was driven more than 100 miles away from Windsor to Sandringham.
The rushed move meant that the disgraced royal had to leave behind many of his belongings.
A friend of the former duke told The Sun that “[Andrew] had planned to cling on at Royal Lodge a little longer but with the latest batch of Epstein files, it was made clear to him that it was time to go. Leaving was so humiliating for him that he chose to do it under the cover of darkness. He didn’t want to have a big emotional goodbye even though Royal Lodge is a place where he had so many family memories.”
Royal Lodge has 30 rooms, so it was never thought that all of Andrew’s belongings were going to make it to his new five-bedroom home. But no one expected that what was left behind would be set on fire.
According to The Mirror, the royal aides have been clearing out the remaining possessions from Royal Lodge for the past few days, including the staff quarters. Moreover, staffers have been setting fire to further unwanted belongings.
One source who spoke to the outlet said, “Andrew was told everything has to be out and absolutely nothing was to be left behind. He hasn’t been back to collect anything. Everything has to be out by the weekend and we’ve been told no trace of the former occupants or staff should remain.”
It hasn’t been confirmed if all the remaining furniture and other items seen being burned last week at Royal Lodge belonged to Andrew or his former staffers.
And even so far away from the rest of the royals and out of the limelight, the former Duke of York is still causing headaches for his family as he was arrested on Feb. 19 for suspicion of misconduct in public office. In a statement regarding his brother’s arrest, King Charles promised a “full, fair, and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities.”
