Featured Image Credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Topics: Prince Andrew, Royal Family, UK News
Rhianna Benson
Topics: Prince Andrew, Royal Family, UK News
Following confirmation from Buckingham Palace last night that Prince Andrew is soon to be evicted from his royal residence, questions have been raised over the future of his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson.
An official statement released on Thursday (30 October) confirmed that the 65-year-old would be losing his princedom and would henceforth be known as 'Andrew Mountbatten Windsor', in light of damning new allegations about his relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
As well as this, it was revealed that Andrew would be surrendering his lease on Royal Lodge, where he and Sarah have resided since 2004, despite having been divorced since 1996.
"Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease, and he will move to alternative private accommodation," the message explained.
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"These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him."
King Charles III - Andrew's older brother - is believed to be privately funding his brother's move to Sandringham, one of several British royal estates.
Questions have since been raised over why exactly the couple resided at Royal Lodge together, despite being split, which Sarah has touched on in the past.
Sarah became the Duchess of York when she and the former royal married in 1986, with this title changing slightly to 'Sarah, Duchess of York', following their split.
Despite going their separate ways several decades ago, the couple continued to reside together at Royal Lodge in Windsor.
Though their living situation raised some eyebrows at the time, Sarah previously opened up on the reason for their unconventional set-up, describing her and Andrew in 2018 as the 'happiest divorced couple in the world'.
"Although we are not a couple, we really believe in each other," she explained to The Mail Online. "The Yorks are a united family.
"I’m lucky enough to be a guest at Royal Lodge. He’s that side and I’m this side."
Sarah went on to add: "My duty is to him. I am so proud of him. I stand by him and always will. The way we are is our fairy tale.
"We stand up for each other, fight for each other. We’re totally respectful of each other’s position and thoughts and we listen to each other."
Such was also the case when allegations over Andrew's relationship with Epstein first came to light, with Sarah's representatives telling press: "With Prince Andrew, he’s such a good man.
"He’s a kind, good man. And I think the spotlight needs to come off him and let him get on with his life to rebuild."
The decision to strip Andrew of his titles and honours came following the posthumous release of Virginia Giuffre's memoir. In the book, she claimed that she had sex with Andrew on three separate occasions when she was a minor, having been trafficked by Epstein.
Andrew has denied any wrongdoing.
In her work, Giuffre - who took her own life earlier this year - cites specific sexual interactions she allegedly endured with Andrew as a teenager. Four days prior to its release, Andrew surrendered his 'Duke of York' title.