Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is set to leave Royal Lodge sooner than expected and could be leaving in just weeks, an insider has revealed.
The disgraced former royal was served notice on his Grade II 30-room mansion in October after King Charles took unprecedented steps to remove his younger brother of his royal titles.
They were removed due to the ongoing controversy surrounding Andrew’s links with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The 65-year-old looks set to move to Marsh Farm on the Sandringham Estate, but will be staying in a smaller property until the work has been completed around Easter, Palace insiders have claimed.
Andrew Mountbatten Windsor is set to leave Royal Lodge "in weeks" according to insiders
| GETTYA source said: “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.”
The Sun revealed during a visit to the property, workmen were spotted at work, with security systems being fitted, as well as a 6ft fence being put around the perimeter of the house.
Andrew is still currently at Royal Lodge, but a friend has revealed: “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.
“Apart from involvement with the children and grandchildren, they will live separate lives.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor "needs to get on with his life," a friend has revealed
| PAIt was recently revealed Royal Lodge had not been inspected during his 22-year lease.
The lease included unique terms, which included not paying rent but instead a costly upfront refurbishment cost and an upkeep schedule.
He paid £8million to repair the property when he moved in, and agreed to allow inspectors in at “all reasonable times” to make sure the royal residence was looked after.
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In return for meeting these agreements, his Crown 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 his 75-year lease.
However, it has now been revealed by a freedom of information request that not one inspection occurred during his 22-year tenancy.
His lease states that he must paint the interior of the property every seven years and maintain the good standard of the grounds and the gardens.
The former Duke of York is set to lose out on almost £500,000 due repairs needed to Royal Lodge | PAThe strict rules specified that he was not able to alter Royal Lodge by adding new walls, fences, gates or windows.
The lease specified that Crown Estate officials had the right to enter the property to confirm the rules had been followed if they gave “reasonable notice”.
The lack of inspections were revealed in the freedom of information request by the Daily Mail, just a month after the chief executive of the Crown Estate wrote a briefing to the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee stating visits were carried out on a “need-only” basis.
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