Inside the £4,000 per week rental home Prince Edward and Sophie used as Andrew drags his feet

Svar Nanan-Sen
Tue, 07 Apr 2026 08:37:45 +0000

Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, spent their Easter holiday at Gardens House, an outdated rental property on the Sandringham estate, after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor refused to vacate Wood Farm.

The royal couple typically use Wood Farm for their annual Easter retreat, but found themselves unable to access the property because Edward's brother remains ensconced there.

Andrew had been expected to relocate to Marsh Farm in the nearby village of Wolferton ahead of the Easter period, but has been slow to make the move.

Concerns had emerged several weeks prior that he would resist leaving Wood Farm, which he views as more appropriate for his needs given its greater privacy and seclusion at the end of a 300-yard driveway.

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The situation forced the Edinburghs into alternative accommodation on the King's Norfolk estate.

Gardens House, a secluded four-bedroom property, presents a modest interior with beige carpeting, cream-coloured walls, and curtains featuring floral patterns.

The kitchen contains traditional tiled flooring, wooden cabinetry, and a metal sink, offering functional rather than luxurious accommodation.

During peak season, the property commands rental fees of up to £4,110 per week and is ordinarily available to members of the public through holiday letting services.

The Norfolk Hideaways website markets the accommodation as a "charming detached Norfolk hideaway" belonging to the King, situated "nestled within the heart of his much-loved Sandringham Estate."

Bookings for the property are nearly full through to the end of December 2027, suggesting that other guests may have had their reservations cancelled to accommodate the royal couple.

The house once served as the residence for the estate's head gardener and sits approximately 300 yards from Sandringham House itself.

Andrew relocated to Wood Farm in early February following growing public outrage over his connections to convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The property had previously served as the retirement residence of his late father, Prince Philip, who spent his final years living there in a quiet and simple manner.

Andrew was stripped of his prince title in October last year and subsequently departed Royal Lodge, his 30-room Windsor mansion.

Gardens House had initially been considered as a potential residence for Andrew at that time, but King Charles reportedly dismissed this option due to its proximity to Sandringham House.

The five-bedroom Marsh Farm property in Wolferton has been undergoing renovations to prepare it as Andrew's permanent home.

However, Andrew reportedly regards Wood Farm as far superior accommodation because it offers considerably more privacy, being concealed from public view along its lengthy private driveway.

Edward became the first member of the Royal Family to visit to Andrew at his Norfolk refuge last week.

During the encounter, the 62-year-old Duke of Edinburgh urged his brother to relocate to Marsh Farm at the earliest opportunity.

Edward made clear to Andrew that his continued occupation of Wood Farm was preventing the Edinburgh family from using the property for their traditional Easter stay.

Despite this personal appeal from his younger brother, Andrew has yet to vacate the premises.

Edward is understood to have departed Gardens House in time to join the customary Easter Sunday service at Windsor alongside his 18-year-old son, James, Earl of Wessex.

The Duchess of Edinburgh missed the service as she was feeling unwell, while their 22-year-old daughter Lady Louise was also absent.

Andrew has been making frequent trips to Marsh Farm in recent days, with artwork and numerous boxes containing his belongings transported to the property.

Preparations for his eventual arrival appear well underway, with curtains now hung and security gates erected to shield the residence from public view.

Despite these visible signs of progress toward the move, Andrew continues to reside at Wood Farm rather than completing his relocation.