Andrew Makes Big Decision About Sarah Ferguson Amid Royal Lodge Update

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson are facing a new chapter in their relationship following the formal surrender of the lease on Royal Lodge, their longtime home in Windsor. Despite divorcing in 1996, the former couple continued living together at the property for years, maintaining an unusually close arrangement.

However, a new report has claimed that Andrew and Sarah are no longer speaking and that Sarah is not welcome at his new residence, Marsh Farm, on the Sandringham estate. If accurate, the reported change would mark a significant departure from the close relationship they maintained after their divorce.

The claims come as the Royal Lodge chapter officially draws to a close, raising fresh questions about where Sarah will live and what the future holds for the former couple.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Officially Gives Up Royal Lodge

Royal Lodge has been associated with Andrew and Sarah for many years. Although their marriage ended in 1996, they continued to share the Windsor property long after their separation.

That arrangement attracted attention because it was unusual for a divorced couple, particularly one so closely connected to the British Royal Family, to continue living together for such an extended period.

The latest development is the formal surrender of Andrew's lease to the Crown Estate. According to ITV News, Andrew paid approximately £1.8 million in repair and restoration costs and was entitled to £302,000 in compensation under the lease terms.

The Crown Estate has said its focus is now on the property's future use and generating financial value from its return.

The end of the lease marks an important change for the former Duke of York, who left the Windsor residence earlier in 2026.

Has Andrew Made a Decision About Sarah Ferguson?

A report published by The News International on October 9 claimed that Andrew had chosen to distance himself from Sarah and that the pair were no longer speaking.

The report also cited a source claiming Sarah was unwelcome at Marsh Farm, Andrew's new residence on the Sandringham estate.

If the account is accurate, it would represent a notable change in a relationship that remained close for decades after their divorce.

However, the reported disagreement has not been publicly confirmed by Andrew or Sarah. The details should therefore be treated as media reporting rather than an established statement from either of them.

Their private relationship remains separate from the confirmed property development: Andrew's Royal Lodge lease has ended, and he has moved to accommodation on the Sandringham estate.

Why Andrew and Sarah Continued Living Together After Divorce

Andrew and Sarah divorced in 1996, but their relationship did not follow the conventional path of a separated couple.

They remained connected through their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, and continued to appear together at family occasions.

Sarah had previously spoken warmly about her relationship with Andrew, with the pair sometimes described in the media as the “happiest divorced couple in the world.”

Their continued arrangement at Royal Lodge became one of the most talked-about aspects of their post-divorce relationship.

For years, they appeared to have maintained a friendship and family connection despite no longer being married. That history is one reason the latest reports about a possible separation have attracted attention.

What Is Marsh Farm, Andrew's New Home?

Marsh Farm is located on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, where Andrew relocated after leaving Royal Lodge.

His move followed changes to his royal status and residence arrangements. The move also ended his long association with the Windsor property.

The transition from Royal Lodge to Sandringham represents a substantial change in Andrew's living circumstances.

While the property move itself has been reported, claims about who may visit him there or whether Sarah is welcome remain separate questions and should not be treated as confirmed without direct evidence.

Sarah Ferguson's Future After Royal Lodge

Sarah's living arrangements have become a subject of public interest since Andrew's departure from Royal Lodge.

The former couple had shared the property for years, but the end of the lease meant that their previous living arrangement could not continue in the same way.

Reports have suggested that Sarah would make separate arrangements for her home. The Guardian also reported in August 2026 that she was expected to return to the UK after a period away and was reportedly renting a property in the Home Counties.

Her future plans have not been fully set out in a public statement, and it remains important to distinguish reported arrangements from details confirmed by Sarah herself.

Whatever her next step, the end of Royal Lodge marks a new stage in the living arrangements of both Andrew and Sarah.

How the Royal Lodge Update Affects Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie

Andrew and Sarah's relationship has long been linked to their roles as parents of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

Despite their divorce, the former couple maintained a family arrangement that allowed them to remain closely involved in their daughters' lives.

Any lasting change in their relationship could therefore attract attention because of the wider family implications. However, there is no basis to assume that the latest reports mean either daughter has taken a particular side or that family relationships have changed.

The sisters' private responses should not be inferred from reports about their parents' living arrangements.

Royal Lodge: What Happens to the Property Now?

With Andrew's lease formally surrendered, the Crown Estate can consider the property's future use.

ITV News reported that the property would be marketed by nationally recognised agents as its future use is assessed.

The end of the lease also concludes a long chapter in which Royal Lodge was closely associated with Andrew and Sarah.

The property's future is now a matter for the Crown Estate, rather than an ongoing residence arrangement for the former couple.

What Has Been Confirmed — and What Remains a Claim?

When covering the Andrew and Sarah story, it is important to separate established developments from reports about their private relationship.

Confirmed or reported by established news outlets:

• Andrew's Royal Lodge lease has been surrendered to the Crown Estate.

• He paid approximately £1.8 million in repair and restoration costs.

• He was entitled to £302,000 in compensation under the lease terms.

• He moved from Royal Lodge to accommodation on the Sandringham estate.

Reported but not independently confirmed by Andrew or Sarah:

• That the former couple are no longer speaking.

• That Sarah is unwelcome at Marsh Farm.

• That Andrew personally made the decision to end contact with Sarah.

These distinctions matter because a confirmed change in property arrangements does not, by itself, establish what is happening in a person's private relationship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Andrew and Sarah Ferguson still living together?

They previously shared Royal Lodge despite divorcing in 1996. Andrew has since left the property and moved to the Sandringham estate. Sarah's current living arrangements are separate and have been the subject of media reports.

Why did Andrew leave Royal Lodge?

Andrew's departure followed the formal process to end his lease on Royal Lodge and changes to his royal status and living arrangements.

Has Andrew stopped speaking to Sarah Ferguson?

A report published by The News International claimed the former couple were no longer speaking. Neither Andrew nor Sarah has publicly confirmed that claim.

Is Sarah Ferguson welcome at Marsh Farm?

The same report claimed Sarah was not welcome at Andrew's new home. This remains a reported claim, not a publicly confirmed decision.

How much did Andrew receive after surrendering Royal Lodge?

ITV News reported that Andrew was entitled to £302,000 in compensation under the lease terms, after paying approximately £1.8 million in repair and restoration costs.

Were Andrew and Sarah Ferguson still close after their divorce?

They maintained a close family relationship for many years after divorcing in 1996 and continued living together at Royal Lodge. Their private relationship today has been the subject of recent reporting.

Where is Andrew living now?

Andrew moved to Marsh Farm on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk after leaving Royal Lodge.

The Bigger Picture

Andrew and Sarah Ferguson's relationship has long stood out because they continued living together and maintaining a family connection despite their divorce.

The surrender of Royal Lodge has now ended the living arrangement that defined much of their post-divorce life. Recent reports suggest their personal relationship may also have changed, although those claims remain unconfirmed by either party.

For now, the clearest development is the formal end of Andrew's Royal Lodge lease and his move to Sandringham. Whether the reported distance between Andrew and Sarah marks a lasting break in their relationship remains to be seen.

The next chapter will depend on their future living arrangements and, if either chooses to speak publicly, what they say about their relationship themselves.