The former Duke of York is now based at the five-bedroom Marsh Farm on the king’s privately-owned Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. Andrew is said to have finally moved into his new home following a visit from “henchman” Prince Edward. His move comes amid on-going scrutiny of his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and the US Department of Justice’s release of the so-called Epstein Files. Andrew however has denied any wrongdoing regarding the friendship.
Now a new book from royal author Robert Hardman, entitled Elizabeth II: In Private. In Public. The Inside Story, has shed light on some of Andrew’s final days at Royal Lodge. Hardman claims that Andrew, who was stripped of his royal titles in October, told one of his last visitors to the mansion that his Duke of York title was “an avatar”.
He went on to say he could now discover “the real me,” Hardman claimed. Hardman also writes that Andrew delivered an unusual lecture to a visitor at Royal Lodge.
He writes: “Another visitor was treated to a half-hour lecture from him on how to make the perfect cup of tea.”
Elsewhere, Hardman claims that Prince William sent his uncle a condolences message after he had been stripped of his royal titles. Andrew was reportedly “very touched” that William was “one of the few people” who reached out to him.
It has previously been reported that the Prince of Wales was in favour of his father and grandmother taking a firmer stance on Andrew. The former prince had originally stepped-back from life as a working royal following a now-infamous Newsnight interview.
In his book William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, the Daily Mirror’s Royal Editor, Russell Myers wrote: “The interview was a disaster, not only for Andrew, whose reputation was in tatters, but for the monarchy at large. Suddenly, the palace was engaged in a full-scale firefight, with deepening questions over its relevance in a modern world, even its survival.
“In the aftermath, William spoke to his father to implore him and the Queen to take immediate action, fearing not only the public backlash but for his own future.
“A source said: ‘Once you understand the fact that everything that happens in the here and now, affects everything in the future, William’s future, it is very easy to put yourself in his shoes. He never much liked his uncle and wanted him out of the picture immediately before the rot further set in.
“‘William’s view was that he [Andrew] got himself into the whole mess, so he should be left to his own devices to sort it out away from the family.’”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.express.co.uk ’
