Royal Lodge in Windsor has stood vacant for months following Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's forced departure in February, with insiders suggesting the "hasty" eviction was pointless.
The 66-year-old was removed from the 30-room mansion in early February 2026, despite his intended new residence at Marsh Farm not being ready for occupation.
A source told the Mail: "Andrew feels that his departure from Royal Lodge was unnecessarily hasty."
"From his perspective, it was all done to appease the baying media and didn't need to be carried out in such a rush before his new accommodation at Marsh Farm was ready."
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor insiders have questined his 'unnecessarily hasty' eviction from Royal Lodge
|GETTY
"The fact that no one else had taken occupancy of Royal Lodge is the proof of that."
The property had fallen into disrepair, with Mr Mountbatten-Windsor struggling to meet substantial maintenance and security expenses.
Intensified scrutiny surrounding Mr Mountbatten-Windsor's connections to Jeffrey Epstein prompted the accelerated removal, with fresh document releases heightening pressure on the institution.
King Charles revoked the lease and launched formal proceedings to strip his younger brother of his remaining titles, including the designation "Prince."
An aerial view of Royal Lodge in Windsor
| REUTERSThe move formed part of a sustained campaign to sever the monarchy's links to Mr Mountbatten-Windsor's controversies and remove him entirely from public-facing royal life.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor now resides in what sources have termed "exile," having been divested of all royal titles while his elder brother continues fulfilling official engagements with world leaders.
The King received considerable praise for his diplomatic handling of President Donald Trump during last week's State Visit to the United States.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was taken into custody on February 19 on suspicion of misconduct in public office, though he was released later that evening pending further investigation.
Walkers on Easter Sunday take in Marsh Farm, showing trees in full blossom and the new wooden gates where Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor relocated from Wood Farm
| GETTYHe has consistently maintained his innocence regarding any alleged wrongdoing.
Following his eviction, he initially stayed at Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate before finally relocating to Marsh Farm on Easter Monday, once renovation work had been completed.
In a pointed illustration of the family rift, King Charles recently took a break at Wood Farm after returning from his American visit, placing him barely half a mile from his younger brother's new residence near Wolferton village.
Despite the two properties being separated by just a single field and a 10-minute walk, the brothers did not see one another.
Andrew was arrested at Wood Farm on his 66th birthday in February
| GETTYA source claimed the King is "really rubbing salt into the wounds by continuing to blank Andrew" while staying in such close proximity.
Prince Edward made the journey to his older brother's Sandringham bolthole last month for what royal sources characterised as a "brotherly welfare check."
The 62-year-old's visit represented the first occasion any member of the Royal Family had been in contact with Mr Mountbatten-Windsor since his Norfolk exile commenced.
Those close to Prince Edward have indicated he has been "deeply unsettled" in recent weeks, grappling with both the allegations facing his elder sibling and growing worries about Mr Mountbatten-Windsor's mental and physical wellbeing as the police investigation continues.
The welfare visit underscores the isolation Mr Mountbatten-Windsor now faces, with only his youngest brother having made any effort to see him since his removal from Royal Lodge three months ago.