Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor faces strict estate rules following relocation to Sandringham farmhouses

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor relocates to Sandringham’s Wood Farm, facing strict bans on barbecues and cats as he adjusts to a modest post-Windsor life.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 3, 2026, 9:32 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from HELLO!

Relocation to a more modest lifestyle

The move to Norfolk represents a significant downscaling for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Having left behind the expansive Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, he is currently adjusting to the more compact living quarters of Wood Farm. This transition follows the formal stripping of his royal titles and military honors in late 2025. Observers suggest that the shift to these temporary arrangements is a visible sign of his altered status within the royal family, as King Charles III continues to streamline the estate's residents and resources.

Strict ban on outdoor cooking

One of the primary regulations Andrew must follow at his new residence concerns fire safety. The Sandringham estate maintains a rigorous ban on barbecues across its 20,000-acre territory to prevent wildfires in the surrounding woodland and farmland. According to the estate’s official guidelines, while picnicking is encouraged, the use of open fires or grills is strictly prohibited. For Andrew, this means any outdoor dining must remain within the private, enclosed boundaries of his specific properties, as he is no longer exempt from the safety protocols that apply to the general public and other estate tenants.

The "No Cats" policy and wildlife protection

In addition to fire safety, the estate enforces specific rules regarding domestic pets. A long-standing policy introduced by the late Queen Elizabeth II prohibits residents from keeping cats on the property. This measure was implemented to safeguard the local pheasant population and other vulnerable wildlife from domestic predators. While dogs are generally permitted on a "case-by-case" basis, it remains unconfirmed if Andrew has brought the corgis he inherited from the late monarch to his new residence. This "no cats" rule highlights the estate’s primary function as a working farm and wildlife sanctuary.