Just days after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor moved into Sandringham, the former prince’s arrival has sparked controversy, with “public safety announcements” appearing around the area highlighting his connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew, 63, was evicted from the Royal Lodge in Windsor earlier this week and relocated to the King’s Norfolk estate under cover of night to avoid attention. Sources say he is currently staying at Wood Farm Cottage while Marsh Farm, believed to be his intended permanent residence, undergoes renovations.
Within days of his arrival, locals expressed their disapproval of the disgraced royal moving into the otherwise quiet village.
In a video shared on social media, an unidentified resident can be seen attaching a notice over the ‘Welcome to Sandringham’ sign, described as a “public safety announcement.”
The poster, which featured a photograph of Andrew, read: “Sweaty n*nce in the area. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (previously: Prince Andrew).”
The message further referenced the former royal’s link to Epstein, stating: “Close friend of notorious paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Enthusiastic participant in his sex trafficking network. Paid millions to try and silence survivors.”
Andrew has consistently denied the allegations, and police investigations have not resulted in any charges.
The Epstein files reportedly contain claims that a woman in her mid-20s travelled to Windsor to have sex with Andrew. Additionally, his payment to Virginia Giuffre was made without any admission of guilt or liability.
The footage was circulated on social media by campaign group Everyone Hates Elon, who wrote: “Former Prince Andrew has been forced to move to a smaller home in Sandringham after the latest Epstein files release. Don’t worry, he’s getting the welcome he deserves. A national disgrace.”
Residents in the area have also voiced frustration about the disruption caused by the royal’s presence. The previously tranquil lane has been swamped with cars and journalists, with helicopters circling overhead.
One local said: “I think if he has to come and live here, it should be somewhere that’s quite secluded. There are houses that belong to the King that he could go to that wouldn’t cause anybody any bother. The press are all down there. The villagers don’t like that. It’s a quiet village.”
She suggested a more suitable location would be “out in the woods” surrounded by trees and away from roads, adding: “If he needs to come, he needs to come, but I think there’s better places he could have actually gone.”
Comments from visitors to the nearby Sandringham Visitor Centre highlighted similar sentiments. Abraham Bruin, 83, said: “I’m a little bit flabbergasted myself. If he’s an outcast and living on the estate, he’s not an outcast is he?”
Another woman added: “Really, he’s going back to luxury, isn’t he? He’s being waited on hand and foot.” Additional locals expressed discomfort with the former prince’s relocation, with one noting she was “not particularly keen on him.”
