Just when it seemed like Prince Andrew’s public image couldn’t possibly sink any lower, new allegations are once again dragging the disgraced royal deeper into scandal.
Once a central figure of the monarchy, Andrew has already been stripped of his dukedom and prestigious Knight of the Garter title.
Now, there’s growing speculation that even his Windsor home — the grand 30-room Royal Lodge — might no longer be his for much longer.
The mansion, just a short stroll from King Charles’s residence at Windsor Castle, has been Andrew’s longtime refuge.
But whispers inside royal circles suggest that the King may be preparing to move him elsewhere — perhaps as far away as the Castle of Mey, a remote estate perched on the northernmost edge of Scotland, nearly 700 miles from Windsor.
The Question of Exile — and History Repeats Itself
While it’s hard to imagine Andrew agreeing to trade his lavish comforts for the isolation of the Scottish Highlands, royal history offers plenty of precedent for banishing disgraced royals.
One of the most famous examples remains King Edward VIII, who gave up the throne in 1936 to marry the twice-divorced Wallis Simpson.
After his abdication, Edward lived a life of exile — first in France, then briefly in Portugal, before being shipped off to the Bahamas as governor during World War II.
Any hopes of returning to Britain were swiftly crushed by Prime Minister Clement Attlee, who sensibly decided that a kingdom could not have two kings.
That historical pattern of sending problem royals abroad has endured — and for many observers, Prince Andrew now fits neatly into that category.
The Case for Sending Andrew Abroad
If exile is on the cards, the question becomes: where should Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, go? The United States might seem an obvious option — but that comes with its own complications.
Living there would mean sharing the same spotlight as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and the inevitable comparisons wouldn’t do Andrew any favors.
Harry’s own controversies might have damaged his reputation, but next to Andrew’s, he still looks relatively respectable.
Meghan, meanwhile, has taken on the public role once occupied by Fergie — the mischievous but glamorous outsider.
She’s younger, more fashionable, and far more media-savvy, which only highlights how far Andrew and Fergie’s stars have fallen.
To make matters worse, Fergie’s income sources have dried up since the death of Jeffrey Epstein — the billionaire and convicted sex offender whose financial ties to the couple have haunted them for years.
Gone too are her commercial partnerships, such as her deal with Weight Watchers, leaving her with few options to sustain her lavish lifestyle.
Searching for a New Royal Refuge
Looking at royal history for inspiration might offer clues for Andrew’s next move.
Take Queen Caroline, for instance, who was effectively exiled in the 18th century after making a spectacle of herself outside Westminster Abbey during her husband King George III’s coronation.
She eventually settled in the Middle East — riding donkeys and embracing her new, unconventional life abroad.
That path could tempt Andrew, who reportedly has ties to Abu Dhabi’s ruling family and even access to a royal palace there.
But the Middle East’s cultural restrictions might not sit well with Fergie, and the sweltering temperatures — while good for sunbathing — wouldn’t make up for the lack of high-end shopping.
A more fitting destination might be Switzerland, which Fergie has often called her “spiritual home.”
The couple once owned a charming chalet in Verbier, though they sold it in 2022 after a messy legal dispute over money.
But even if they wanted to return, maintaining a property in Switzerland requires serious wealth — something the pair seems to perpetually lack.
The Practical Solution — and a King’s Relief
If they were to make a clean break, the most practical move might be selling the lease of Royal Lodge back to King Charles.
The King would likely pay handsomely just to see the back of his brother and sister-in-law — and to finally put an end to the tension their continued presence in Windsor creates.
With their royal titles stripped and their finances uncertain, the couple — now properly referred to as the Mountbatten-Windsors — may have little choice but to start a quieter life abroad.
Trouble Still Looming Ahead
Even if they escape to another country, Andrew’s problems are far from over.
The Epstein saga continues to cast a long shadow, and another storm is reportedly brewing.
Rumors persist about Andrew’s decade-long stint as a “trade ambassador,” during which he represented Britain overseas while seemingly answering to no one.
What exactly he was doing — or gaining — during those years remains a mystery. For now, the details are buried.
But if history has taught us anything, scandals like this rarely stay hidden forever.
As the cracks in Andrew’s reputation deepen, a quiet exile might not just be the best option — it might be the only one left.
And as royal author Christopher Wilson wryly notes, “It’s far safer to be holed up abroad when the grit finally hits the fan.”