Prince Andrew is currently facing intense pressure to vacate Royal Lodge, his residence for over two decades, as Prince William and Princess Catherine (Kate) plan to move into their nearby 'forever home', Forest Lodge, in Windsor Great Park. Royal sources indicate that William desires his disgraced uncle to leave the 30-room mansion before the Wales family's anticipated move, which is expected before Bonfire Night. This relocation is particularly significant as William and Kate initially wished to move into Royal Lodge themselves, but Andrew's refusal forced them into Adelaide Cottage in August 2022, which was “never the plan.” Negotiations regarding Andrew's living arrangements are ongoing daily amidst public outcry over his “peppercorn rent” for the lavish property.

Despite a “cast iron” lease that legally prevents Andrew's eviction, Palace insiders believe his departure is inevitable due to the widespread public anger and the reputational damage his continued presence causes the monarchy. King Charles is reportedly adopting a tougher stance, recognizing the need to address the situation. Catherine, in particular, is said to “shudder at the thought of living so close to Royal Lodge while Prince Andrew is still in it,” with William keen to have him gone before their family, including children George, Charlotte, and Louis, prepares for the move during the half-term break.

The urgency for Andrew to move is compounded by a series of revelations concerning his links to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. It has emerged that Andrew continued contact with Epstein after his release from jail, including arranging a dinner with Katherine Keating, the daughter of former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating, in 2011. Emails from “The Epstein Files” show Andrew responding affirmatively to Epstein's request to arrange this dinner with Woody Allen in New York. Ms. Keating confirmed Andrew “fixed” the large social event, which included notable figures like Barbara Walters and Katie Couric. Andrew had also visited Epstein in New York in December 2010, staying at his Manhattan mansion, despite later claiming he went to break off contact.

Further implicating Andrew, the Metropolitan Police are actively investigating claims that he asked a taxpayer-funded personal protection officer (PPO) to smear his teenage sex accuser, Virginia Giuffre. A bombshell email from February 26, 2011, revealed Andrew's request to his PPO to investigate Giuffre, providing her date of birth and confidential US social security number, and suggesting she had a criminal record. Two detectives recently questioned the retired royal protection officer involved, who had an exemplary record and was honored by Queen Elizabeth. The officer, who had been part of the elite SO14 Royalty Protection Group, reportedly served Prince Charles before working for Andrew and accompanied him on various engagements, including a meeting with Epstein's personal banker Jes Staley at Harry's Bar in 2010. While protection officers insist they were not “privy to any sort of private conversations” with Epstein, the prospect of Andrew being caught in a criminal probe, the first royal in over 20 years, remains high.

Sarah Ferguson, Prince Andrew's ex-wife who also resides at Royal Lodge, is simultaneously embroiled in her own financial scandals related to Epstein. Dubbed the 'Duchess of Excess', Ferguson's decades-long pattern of reckless spending led her to accept a £15,000 loan from Epstein in 2011, though new revelations suggest his financial support was far more extensive, potentially spanning up to 15 years. Her debts reportedly exceeded £5 million by 1995, necessitating interventions from Queen Elizabeth II, who provided six-figure sums on “several” occasions. After the Palace stated her financial affairs were no longer “Her Majesty's concern,” Fergie sought other sources of income.

Emails obtained by The Mail on Sunday indicate that Fergie begged Epstein for $50,000 to $100,000 to cover “small bills” and inquired about visiting his private island, humorously asking if it was “unavailable to bankrupts?” Epstein also covered debts she owed to a former employee but grew frustrated when she failed to repay him as promised, eventually “dumping” the couple due to Sarah's constant requests for money. Despite publicly disavowing Epstein, Fergie sent him a private message describing him as a “steadfast, generous and supreme friend,” admitting she distanced herself to protect her reputation and career as a children's author.

Ferguson's extravagant lifestyle is well-documented. She spent wildly on staff, holidays, parties, and flowers, accumulating huge bills. Examples include spending £14,000 in one month with a wine merchant and giving dozens of £300 keyrings with her personal crest to charity workers. Her annual outgoings for rent, staff wages, clothing, and gifts far outstripped her estimated income. She was also the Royal Family's most frequent flyer in the year to July 1995, covering 204,990 miles. Her charity, Chances for Children, faced scrutiny for allegedly being used as a branch of her private office, with less than half of donated funds going to sick children.

The construction and extensive renovation of Sunninghill Park, a 12-bedroom mansion gifted by the Queen for their 1986 wedding, further exemplify her lavish habits. Dubbed 'SouthYork' and featuring a marble bathtub called 'HMS Fergie', the property incurred annual guarding costs of £300,000. Renovations spiraled out of control, exceeding budgets and eventually leading the Palace to withhold funding. Despite a budget of £250,000 for decoration, the Queen complained about the cost. The mansion was eventually sold in 2007 for £3 million over its asking price but was demolished in 2015 after falling into disrepair.

With both Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson stripped of their remaining titles and facing intensified scrutiny, an insider suggests that Fergie could turn on her ex-husband to “save her own skin” if their finances become unmanageable. The scandals, including the loss of her charity patronages, are predicted to have long-lasting commercial consequences for Fergie, while Andrew's potential criminal probe looms. Royal author Andrew Lownie believes these revelations are “only the beginning” for the York family, forecasting further downfall.