Nicolai Haugsted
Prince Andrew’s life away from the royal spotlight is reportedly far more comfortable than many imagined, with loyal friends keeping him company.
Losing your royal titles, your mansion and your place at the family Christmas table might sound like the ingredients for a rather miserable retirement.
For Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, however, life away from the royal spotlight reportedly looks considerably more comfortable than many might imagine.
King Charles’s younger brother has spent much of 2026 keeping a low profile following his arrest and the continuing investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office.
Yet a new report suggests that the 66-year-old has hardly been spending his days alone, dwelling on his dramatic fall from royal favour.
According to The Times, Andrew has maintained a surprisingly active social life, surrounded by loyal friends who have remained close despite the scandals surrounding him.
Not quite the lonely retirement people imagined
Andrew now lives at Marsh Farm, a five-bedroom property on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
The move followed his departure from Royal Lodge, the sprawling Windsor residence he had occupied for years before King Charles ordered him to leave.
His new home is considerably more modest than the 30-bedroom mansion he once enjoyed, but apparently that hasn’t stopped him from making the most of his circumstances.
Speaking to The Times, a well-placed source offered a rather cheerful description of Andrew’s daily routine.
“He’s having a very nice time, thank you very much. He goes out, he goes off shooting with friends, he sees his old chums who are very loyal to him. He’s not sitting around feeling sorry for himself any more.”
The newspaper reports that Andrew regularly meets friends in Norfolk and has also enjoyed shooting trips to the Balmoral estate in Scotland.
Several acquaintances from his longstanding social circle are said to have continued supporting him, even as his relationship with the wider royal family has deteriorated.
Friends who believe the scandal will pass
Andrew’s continued friendships are particularly striking given the circumstances surrounding his departure from public life.
The former prince stepped back from official royal duties in 2019 amid scrutiny of his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Further controversy followed, culminating in the removal of his royal titles and honours, his departure from Royal Lodge and his arrest on February 19, 2026.
Andrew was questioned by police for approximately 12 hours on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
He remains under investigation, but no charges have been brought, and he has consistently denied wrongdoing.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, some members of his social circle reportedly believe the controversy will eventually subside.
One source told The Times:
“I don’t agree with this viewpoint, but there’s a feeling among a lot of these chums that this is a storm in a teacup and it will blow over.”
The comments suggest that Andrew’s remaining supporters do not necessarily share the broader criticism directed at him.
However, their private confidence does not alter the ongoing police investigation or the consequences he has already faced.
King Charles keeps his distance
Andrew may still have friends willing to spend time with him, but his position within the royal family is considerably less comfortable.
He is reportedly excluded from private royal gatherings, including Christmas celebrations at Sandringham and the family’s traditional summer stays at Balmoral.
King Charles has also maintained a noticeable distance from his younger brother.
During a visit to Sandringham in May, the monarch reportedly stayed at Wood Farm without meeting Andrew, despite the brothers being only around seven kilometres apart.
Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, have reportedly visited Andrew, suggesting that contact with individual family members has not disappeared entirely.
Still, his former position within the royal household appears firmly behind him.
Even Sarah Ferguson is reportedly out
Perhaps the most unexpected development concerns Andrew’s relationship with his former wife, Sarah Ferguson.
The pair divorced in 1996 but remained unusually close for decades, even sharing Royal Lodge long after their marriage ended.
Ferguson previously defended Andrew publicly, describing him during a 2022 Times Radio interview as “a very good and kind man”.
Their longstanding friendship now appears to have deteriorated, according to The Times.
A source claimed that Ferguson is no longer welcome at Andrew’s Norfolk residence.
“The red setter, as she’s known, is not welcome at Marsh Farm,” the insider said.
“She’s persona non grata as far as Andrew is concerned.”
The reason for their reported falling-out remains unclear.
Ferguson also lost her Duchess of York title in 2025 and has largely avoided public appearances amid renewed scrutiny of her past association with Epstein.
Documents released by the US Justice Department included correspondence involving Ferguson and the disgraced financier.
In one email from 2011, she appeared to praise Epstein as the “brother I have always wished for”.
The documents have intensified questions about the former couple’s connections to Epstein, although their reported personal disagreements have not been publicly explained.
A costly farewell to royal luxury
Andrew’s comfortable social life does not mean his financial situation has escaped the consequences of his royal downfall.
The former prince no longer receives taxpayer-funded police protection and reportedly depends on a six-figure allowance from King Charles to cover expenses, including security.
However, the king has reportedly made clear that the money must not be used to finance Andrew’s legal action against Thames Valley Police.
Andrew is challenging police searches connected to his arrest earlier this year.
He also faces a potentially expensive conclusion to his departure from Royal Lodge.
Under the terms of his lease, the property must officially be returned to the Crown Estate on October 30.
Andrew had originally stood to receive approximately £488,342 in compensation for surrendering the lease early.
But according to The Times, the substantial repairs reportedly required at the Grade II-listed mansion could leave him without any payment.
The property’s condition will be assessed before a final decision is made.
For Andrew, the financial and legal questions remain unresolved, even as reports suggest that his everyday life has become more sociable than expected.
His former royal privileges may have disappeared, but the shooting invitations and friendships apparently have not.
