Prince Andrew Faces Unusual Ban In Sandringham Move

Prince Andrew, the former Duke of York, finds himself at the center of a uniquely royal predicament as he prepares for a significant downsizing in his living arrangements. Originally scheduled to vacate Royal Lodge in Windsor by the end of January 2026, Andrew is still residing there as of early February, according to reports from Hello! and Marie Claire. The delay, it turns out, is not just a matter of packing up decades of royal memorabilia—it’s a perfect storm of property repairs, pest problems, and a peculiar rule that only a royal estate could devise.

In a twist befitting the British monarchy’s love of tradition and protocol, Andrew’s next address will soon be Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate, where he’ll stay while renovations are completed on his new permanent home, Marsh Farm. The Sandringham estate, a sprawling 20,000-acre property privately owned by the royal family, has long been a haven for royals seeking privacy—and, apparently, for pheasants. But for Andrew, the move comes with an unusual caveat: a strict no cats policy, still in force after decades and enforced with the sort of rigidity only the royal household can muster.

The ban, as detailed by Marie Claire and confirmed on the Sandringham website, means that “We have a strict no cats policy.” The rationale? According to The Guardian, which reported on the rule in 2023, the prohibition is “probably to protect pheasant fledglings that are bred for the Sandringham shoot.” The late Queen Elizabeth II is understood to have enacted the ban, and King Charles has continued it. The estate, which rents out properties to the public as well as housing royal family members, is fiercely protective of its game birds—cats, with their well-known hunting instincts, are simply not welcome.

For Andrew, the rule may not be much of a personal hardship. He is not known to be a cat lover, but he is a devoted dog owner. Since the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, Andrew has cared for her last two beloved corgis, Sandy and Muick. The sight of Andrew petting the corgis at the late Queen’s funeral was a poignant reminder of the family’s affection for their canine companions. Yet, as Hello! and Marie Claire both note, it remains unclear whether Sandy and Muick will accompany Andrew to Sandringham. A palace statement was characteristically vague: “The corgis will remain with the family.”

While the absence of cats might please the estate’s pheasants, it’s proven less helpful for Andrew’s current predicament at Marsh Farm. In mid-January, a rat control van was spotted at the property, an event that did not escape the eagle eyes of the Daily Mail. The paper noted that “mice and rats are common in the area” due to the longstanding cat ban. It’s a classic case of unintended consequences: protect the birds from cats, and you might just end up with a rodent problem instead.

Andrew’s move has been further complicated by the need for extensive repairs at Marsh Farm. Work vans have been a regular sight at the property throughout January, as contractors tackle what’s been described as “extensive repairs.” According to Hello!, Andrew will remain at Wood Farm, a retreat once beloved by Prince Philip, while the renovations are underway. The repairs are necessary before the ex-duke can settle into his new, more modest home—an undeniable step down from the grandeur of Royal Lodge.

All of this unfolds against the backdrop of Andrew’s diminished royal status. Once a prominent figure within the royal family, Andrew has faced a series of public scandals and was stripped of his official duties and titles. The move from Royal Lodge to Marsh Farm is widely seen as a further sign of his reduced standing. Yet, the practicalities of the move—delayed renovations, pest control, and strict pet policies—offer a glimpse into the very human side of royal life, where even a former prince must navigate the quirks and headaches of home repairs and landlord rules.

The no cats policy, while odd to outsiders, is deeply rooted in the traditions of the Sandringham estate. The property has long been associated with shooting parties and game management, and the protection of pheasant fledglings is a serious business. Queen Elizabeth’s decision to ban cats was reportedly made with the welfare of these birds in mind, and King Charles has shown no inclination to reverse the rule. The estate’s website makes the policy clear, and there are no exceptions—not even for royalty.

As for the corgis, their fate remains a subject of speculation. The palace’s statement that “The corgis will remain with the family” leaves open the possibility that they could stay with Andrew, move elsewhere within the royal household, or perhaps even be cared for by another member of the family. What is certain is that they will not be replaced by cats at Sandringham, no matter how many mice or rats roam the grounds of Marsh Farm.

The sighting of a rat control van at Marsh Farm has sparked some bemusement among royal watchers. As Marie Claire points out, the lack of cats on the estate “won’t help with Andrew’s pest problem.” It’s a reminder that even the most illustrious addresses are not immune to the everyday nuisances that plague homeowners everywhere. For Andrew, the challenge is compounded by the high standards expected of royal residences and the scrutiny that accompanies every move he makes.

Meanwhile, the repairs at Marsh Farm continue apace. Contractors have been working throughout January to ready the property for Andrew’s arrival, but the scale of the work has pushed back his moving date. Until the repairs are complete, he will remain at Wood Farm, a property with its own royal history and sentimental value. The move, when it finally happens, will mark the end of an era for Andrew—and perhaps the beginning of a quieter, more private chapter of his life.

For now, the former Duke of York waits. His future home is being readied, his beloved corgis’ fate is uncertain, and the estate’s no cats policy ensures that the local pheasants can rest easy, even as the rats run free. It’s a story that blends tradition, family, and the peculiarities of royal life—a reminder that, sometimes, even a prince must follow the house rules.