Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s new home once played host to Prince William and Kate Middleton's budding romance
It is no longer a romantic escape...
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s new home, Wood Farm, at Sandringham, as a very interesting history – and was even a big part of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s early relationship.
The humble farm house, sometimes described as a cottage, is currently Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s temporary home, as he awaits renovations at Marsh Farm after leaving Royal Lodge.
But once upon a time, it was more than just accommodation for the disgraced prince…
Prince William and Kate Middleton’s link to Wood Farm
Andrew’s current home is said to have sentimental value to Wills and Kate.
Previously, in the early days of their romance, Prince William and Kate Middleton would escape to the six-bedroom property.
the six-bedroom property. Their visits started in 2002, the year after they met and became friends at the University of St Andrews.
According to royal author Christopher Andersen in William and Kate: A Royal Love Story: “Kate was invited along with five other girls and nine boys to a shooting party at Sandringham. Will’s pals stayed put at Wood Farm, a six-bedroom ‘cottage’ on the estate grounds, while Papa was at the main house playing host to the Queen of Denmark.”
The couple are said to have returned on numerous occasions. They even once rang in the New Year at the abode in 2005.
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Sadly, Wood Farm’s history isn’t all good.
The history of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s new home explained
One of the cottage’s early inhabitants was Queen Mary’s son, Prince John.
He moved to the cottage in 1916 due to his worsening epileptic seizures which he had endured since the age of four.
Tragically known as the ‘lost prince’, John died in 1919 at the age of 13 in his sleep.
After John’s death, the abode was rented out, before later being made into a private guest cottage for visitors.
In 1992, Sarah Ferguson also occupied the home, following her split from Andrew.
She stayed there so she could remain close to Beatrice and Eugenie during the Christmas festivities.
Prince Philip’s fondness of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s new home
Prince Philip has also had a special link to the home.
Andrew’s father chose the farmhouse as his primary residence following his retirement from public duties in 2017.
He lived there until the 2020 pandemic and then moved to Windsor Castle.
In early February, reports explained that Andrew had moved to the king’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. The estate is privately owned by King Charles and he is shouldering the costs of his brother’s new home.
It’s said that Andrew’s new permanent home will be Marsh Farm. However, he is staying at Wood Farm amid ongoing renovations at Marsh Farm.
The latest on Andrew’s housing situation
Renovations on Marsh Farm could be complete by Easter, and then Andrew will move permanently into the red-brick cottage.
Marsh Farm reportedly contains a kitchen, two reception rooms, five bedrooms, outbuildings and stables. Builders were recently spotted at the property, reportedly installing six-foot high security fences, CCTV and improved electrical and sewage systems.
A source reportedly told The Sun that Andrew found the move “humiliating”. The insider claimed: “He had planned to cling on at Royal Lodge a little longer but with the latest batch of Epstein files it was made clear to him that it was time to go.
“Leaving was so humiliating for him that he chose to do it under the cover of darkness. He didn’t want to have a big emotional goodbye even though Royal Lodge is a place where he had so many family memories.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor giving up lease
Elsewhere, it has been revealed that Andrew is on the brink of giving up one of his other residences.
Andrew is believed to have asked to end his lease on East Lodge in Berkshire. The disgraced former prince reportedly pays £13,000 in annual rent on the property.
The Grade II listed thatched cottage is located near Ascot, just a stones throw away from Royal Lodge.
Andrew first took on the tenancy in 1998. He initially paid £3,500 annually to the Crown Estate.
Andrew even lived at the property until 2004, when he moved into Royal Lodge.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor latest
Andrew’s reported request to give up the lease comes after a Freedom of Information request submission regarding East Lodge, filed this January.
“Since then… we have received a request for us to consider an early termination of the lease,” the Crown Estate told the BBC.
The lease had been due to end in July 2027.
Royal Insider has contacted Andrew’s representative for comment.
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