When Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor marks his 66th birthday next month, the celebrations won’t hold a candle to those thrown for his 50th.
Back then, he was the Duke of York, a prince and the UK’s special representative for trade and investment.
The celebrations were a fitting reflection of his status and wealth within the royal family. They included a convivial private dinner at his ski chalet in Verbier, Switzerland, along with his former wife Sarah Ferguson and their two daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
The following week, his daughters arranged for a larger party to be held in the state rooms at St James’s Palace where guests included Naomi Campbell, the supermodel, and Goga Ashkenazi, the Kazakh socialite he once introduced to the late Queen.
It was a fitting venue for a prince who, at the time, still had his own office at Buckingham Palace and staff paid for by taxpayers.
A decade later, plans for a party to celebrate his 60th birthday in 2020 were shelved as pressure mounted over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted paedophile.
Today, he has less of a bounce in his step as he approaches his 66th birthday on February 19.
Daughters go ‘low contact’
Visits from his daughters Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, are few and far between.
While it is not thought that they have cut him off entirely, it is understood that Eugenie has not spoken to her father for some time.
Relations are warmer between Ferguson and the couple’s daughters, but no offer of permanent accommodation has been extended to their mother.
A removal van leaving Royal Lodge this month
TONY KERSHAW/SWNS
Andrew’s home stripped of priceless art
Stripped of his royal and heraldic titles, he is preparing to move out of his home at Royal Lodge in Windsor as a damage assessment works to ascertain what, if anything, he will receive back from his original £8.5 million down-payment on the property.
The Times understands that the Royal Collection Trust has removed priceless artwork from the walls of Royal Lodge, transferring them to a bonded warehouse in London for storage while they await a new home.
Strangely, Andrew finds himself in a similar position with no clear home.
The King has earmarked Marsh Farm at Sandringham for him and, to speed up the process, has made it clear that Andrew will have an “interim house” while it is being restored.
This could be Wood Farm, a secluded, five-bedroom home on the estate, that was used as Prince Philip’s private home after his retirement in 2017.
Despite extensive work beginning on Marsh Farm, however, it is understood that even this is now in doubt.
A huge security overhaul is required to make it safe for Andrew. Builders have been working to install secure gates and alarm systems, but the former duke is understood to be unhappy with the arrangement, and others have questioned how appropriate the accommodation is for such a high-profile figure.
Workers have been seen at Marsh Farm, while evidence of a mole problem has also emerged, below
BAV MEDIA
Meanwhile, pest control officers were seen at the house amid reports of a mole problem within the grounds.
It means that the King may be forced to relent and find another property for his brother at Sandringham.
Andrew out … but family rally round in private
Andrew is not without his supporters. He has a few loyal friends and some sources close to the royal family suspect that Charles’s steely approach may have been too tough.
Andrew’s other siblings, the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Royal, have stayed in touch with Andrew even when communication lines have been cut with the King.
While the Prince and Princess of Wales have supported the King in stripping Andrew of his titles and home, it is understood that they have both shown their concern in private regarding Andrew’s wellbeing.
Prince William has not been completely protected from the scandal of his uncle’s association with Epstein.
Arriving in Fallin, a former mining village east of Stirling, William and Kate were met by a heckler who shouted: “How long have you known about Andrew and Epstein? Have you been covering up for Andrew?”
Alive to the reputational dangers to the monarchy, the King has remained resolute: Andrew must move out.
After much agitation on both sides, Andrew finally relinquished the lease on Royal Lodge, giving notice to his landlords, the Crown Estate. He has until October to move out.
Fergie and Andrew go separate ways
There are those close to the process who feel it might all have been simpler, smoother and far less public if Andrew had agreed to a low-profile departure a year ago.
Originally Andrew and Sarah were offered Frogmore Cottage, the former home of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, tastefully decorated to the highest standards by the former tenants before their departure to the US. As well as some newer decor, it had the benefit of lying within the security cordon of Windsor Great Park.
Sarah Ferguson has yet to find a new place to live
KARWAI TANG/WIREIMAGE/GETTY IMAGES
If Andrew’s future is uncertain, so is that of his former wife, who has yet to find a new home. Sarah Ferguson, 66, has now lost the Duchess of York title she had originally retained when she divorced Andrew in 1996.
With no new permanent place to stay, a source close to Ferguson has indicated that she would prefer to remain in the Windsor area.
Even if suitable accommodation can be found for Andrew, one thing is clear: she will not be moving in with him.
In November, Andrew, hitherto a keen huntsman, had his shotgun licence revoked. After a visit from the Metropolitan Police he chose to voluntarily relinquish his firearms certificate.
In his new home in Sandringham he will be close to the Royal West Norfolk golf club, of which he is an honorary member, however it is not known how warmly he will be received.
The Times understands that he has no automatic right to play on the course and it is not known if he would be able to skip to the front of the years-long waiting list.
Andrew riding in Windsor this week
PETER MACDIARMID
For now, Andrew and Sarah have a housing crisis. It may mean that they have to lower their expectations about the sort of lifestyle they wish to lead.
Andrew was approached for comment. Buckingham Palace declined to comment. The Royal Collection Trust has said that it did not comment on the whereabouts of items in the collection.