Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor now lives in a converted farmhouse on the edge of his brother, King Charles III's estate in Norfolk, but he once lived a glamorous life at the 30-room property, Royal Lodge, in Windsor, before relinquishing the keys in February 2026. Despite Andrew separating from wife Sarah Ferguson in 1992 and then divorcing in 1996, in 2008, he invited her to come and live with him again. She remained there until he gave up the lease this year. Living with an ex may seem a rather unconventional set-up, but what really went on behind closed doors?
Andrew Lownie, royal author of book Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, has detailed the former Prince's fall from grace, as well as his ex-wife's subsequent demise in his book, revealing that although they lived at the same address, there wasn't "much contact" between the two of them.
© Getty ImagesHe wrote: "Sarah had her own set of apartments at the opposite end of the house, and although they did meet and speak on the phone, I don't think there was much contact. There was always this rather cynical idea that he was her calling-card for business and seeing members of the royal family."
What did Sarah Ferguson say about living at Royal Lodge?
Sarah was coy about her living situation with Andrew and she told The Telegraph: "When I'm in the UK I'm lucky enough to stay at Royal Lodge. I wouldn't call it my home as that would be presumptuous."
She also admitted her circumstances were "extraordinary". Speaking about her unusual living set-up to USA Today, the former Duchess said: "Andrew and I, we’re the happiest divorced couple in the world – extraordinary, really, isn't it. We live in the same house, but then, it's a big house, so that’s ok. But I think it's really good that we believe in compromise and communication and compassion. And family."
What does the future hold for Andrew and Sarah's relationship?
Lownie believes this is the end for the "happiest divorced couple in the world". He said: "I can't see any future in that relationship now. They were kind of joined together – them against the world – and that's now clearly fractured. I think she feels that he's toxic and that he’s going to destroy her branding opportunities, so it’s time to go off on her own."
While Andrew is currently based at Sandringham, Lownie anticipates a move abroad for the former royal. "I suspect they will end up living in different countries – him in the Middle East, her perhaps in Switzerland. She's made no public declaration of support for him in the way she used to do." At present, Sarah's whereabouts are unknown, but she has been spotted in Austria in April, pictured staying at a £2,000-a-night apartment at the Mayrlife wellness spa in Altaussee, near Salzburg.
