In just a few years, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has shifted from the heart of royal life to its outer edges. Once known globally as Prince Andrew, Duke of York, the brother of King Charles III now faces a steady erosion of status, privilege, and independence. That decline took on fresh symbolism in November 2025, when he surrendered his firearms certificate to police.
The decision reflected more than a regulatory review. It underscored how his past ties to Jeffrey Epstein continue to reshape his legal standing, living arrangements, and future within the monarchy. Here’s what’s happening next.
Firearms Privileges Quietly Withdrawn
On Wednesday, 19 November 2025, Metropolitan Police firearms officers arrived at Royal Lodge, Andrew’s home in Windsor. Officers asked a man in his 60s to voluntarily surrender his firearms and shotgun certificate. He complied immediately, handing over the documentation that allowed him to own guns in his own name.
The outcome means Andrew can no longer possess firearms independently, although he may still use them under supervision from someone with a valid licence. The visit followed a routine licensing review under UK firearms law, which requires holders to demonstrate good character and continued suitability. Because Andrew surrendered the certificate voluntarily, police did not need to formally revoke it.
For senior royals managing large rural estates, firearms licences have long been standard. That reality made the intervention at Royal Lodge notable. This time, a privilege traditionally handled discreetly within palace walls was curtailed through direct law enforcement scrutiny.
Scandal That Redefined a Royal Role
Andrew’s public standing began to unravel in 2019 after his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein sparked global criticism. The fallout intensified in January 2022, when Queen Elizabeth II stripped him of military titles and royal patronages as he faced a civil lawsuit from Virginia Giuffre. The case was settled in February 2022, with Andrew making a substantial donation to Giuffre’s charity supporting victims’ rights.
Attention resurfaced again in December 2025, when US authorities released thousands of pages under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Among the documents was a photograph reportedly showing Andrew lying across several people’s laps at Sandringham House, with Ghislaine Maxwell visible in the background. The Department of Justice released the image on December 19, 2025.
Giuffre’s death by suicide in April 2025 added further gravity. Together, these developments deepened Andrew’s isolation and reinforced palace efforts to distance the monarchy from his past.
Royal Lodge Under Growing Pressure
Royal Lodge now sits at the center of Andrew’s most immediate challenge. The Grade II listed, 19th century mansion in Windsor Great Park was once home to the Queen Mother from 1952 until 2002. Andrew took up residence in 2003 after securing a 75 year lease that runs until 2078. The deal involved a nominal “peppercorn” rent, a £1 million upfront payment, and an estimated £7.5 million in renovations. The property contains around 30 rooms.
King Charles has since reduced financial support for non working royals as part of broader estate reforms. That shift has intensified scrutiny over whether Andrew can afford the lodge’s ongoing maintenance. Palace officials argue the financial burden, combined with his diminished role, makes continued occupation increasingly impractical.
As internal discussions sharpen, Royal Lodge has become both a symbol of Andrew’s former status and a focal point for negotiations about his future.
Plans for Downsizing Take Shape
Behind palace walls, conversations about Andrew’s relocation have grown more urgent. Internal timelines now point toward an Easter 2026 target, with officials describing the goal as moving “as soon as possible and practicable.” While framed diplomatically, the timetable is widely seen as leverage against prolonged resistance.
One proposal under active review involves relocating Andrew to a smaller property on the Sandringham estate. Marsh Farm, a house with around 5 bedrooms, has emerged as the most likely option. The move would mark a dramatic downsizing from Royal Lodge’s 30 rooms and raise practical questions about staff, storage, and daily living.
Renovation work and logistical planning are expected to extend into early 2026. Easter, falling on 5 April 2026, is viewed as a natural deadline that could reduce awkward overlaps with royal family events during the holiday period.
Titles Gone, Identity Reshaped
The loss of Andrew’s firearms licence fits into a much wider dismantling of his formal identity. In January 2022, he stopped using the style His Royal Highness in any official capacity alongside losing military roles and patronages. In October 2025, he voluntarily relinquished the title Duke of York.
Days later, Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles would formally remove his status as a prince through Letters Patent. The documents were dated 3 November 2025 and published in the London Gazette on 30 October 2025. From that point, he became officially styled Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
He continues to live at Royal Lodge with his former wife, Sarah Ferguson, but palace sources point to a growing mismatch between his reduced public role and the scale of his accommodation. Estimates placing the lodge’s value near £30 million add further tension to discussions around compensation and departure terms.
An Uncertain Path Forward
The surrender of Andrew’s gun licence, renewed scrutiny from US document releases, and the unresolved Royal Lodge dispute all underline how precarious his position remains. For the monarchy, the situation tests how decisively it can distance itself from a senior family member whose past continues to draw international attention.
A move to a smaller Sandringham property could help draw a line under years of controversy, yet it also risks legal challenges tied to lease terms and potential compensation. Legal observers note that the lease may be difficult to break, with provisions that grow more complex over time.
What remains clear is that Epstein related disclosures will continue to surface. How Andrew responds to relocation pressure and reduced privilege will sha
Sources:
BBC News, Dec 2025 (Royal Lodge, gun licence, titles)
The Telegraph, Dec 2025 (firearms licensing, police action)
Metropolitan Police official statement (firearms surrender confirmation)
WUNC/NPR, Oct 2025 (title removal process)
Marie Claire, Jan 2026 (Easter 2026 eviction deadline, internal Palace sources)
InStyle, Jan 2026 (Sandringham relocation details)