King Charles III has stated he will "stand ready to support" the police in any investigation pertaining to his disgraced brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and his connection to Jeffrey Epstein. While he has made his stance clear, he is still giving his sibling safe harbour at his privately owned Sandringham Estate after asking him to give up Royal Lodge. We spoke to the owner of the neighbouring pub, The Black Horse Inn, who has told us exactly what the feeling in the village has been like since…
© ShutterstockWhen asked how the locals have reacted to Andrew's arrival, he admitted: "It's a 50/50 split, some are disgusted with his potential behaviour, but others say he hasn't been convicted and he's innocent until proven guilty. I sit somewhere in the middle. I think it would be better for him to be brought in [by the police] if he is innocent, as he says."
The pub is located just down the road from St Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham where the royal family gather each year for a special Christmas service. Because of the close proximity, the owner occasionally gets regal patrons coming in for a pint. "We get some royals coming in, because we're so close to Sandringham, with the big church next door. Prince Edward comes in, but I can't see Andrew coming in, given the current climate, but his money is the same colour," he said.
© GC ImagesA week ago, shortly after the relocation, locals were quizzed by PA Media, and a few of them expressed concern about Andrew's "luxury" lifestyle in exile. Abraham Bruin, 83, who was visiting the Sandringham Estate, said: "I'm a little bit flabbergasted myself. If he's an outcast and living on the estate, he’s not an outcast, is he?" Another added: "Really, he's going back to luxury, isn’t he? He's being waited on hand and foot."
Marsh Farm luxuries
© Getty ImagesWhile Andrew's soon-to-be new home, Marsh Farm, is a far cry from the decadence of the vast Royal Lodge, there have been an array of renovations to ensure it is fit for Andrew. A new security fence has been installed, and Sky TV workers were spotted at the property, indicating that the former royal will be afforded satellite TV when his property is ready.
Currently, he is housed at the nearby Wood Farm, a five-bed property that's well known for being where the late Prince Philip spent much of his time after retiring from public duties in August 2017.
