Prince Andrew Relocates from Windsor Amid New Epstein Allegations

Prince Andrew's Departure from Windsor

LONDON, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the brother of King Charles, has moved out of his palatial home, a royal source confirmed on Wednesday, following new damaging revelations about his links to the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The former prince, 65, had hoped to stay at Royal Lodge, his Windsor home of decades, for longer, the Sun newspaper said, but he was moved under the cover of darkness on Monday and driven to a cottage in Sandringham, the king's Norfolk estate.

A royal source confirmed that he was now resident there, but that he might occasionally return to Windsor in the coming weeks while a transitionary phase was completed.

Background on Epstein Revelations

"With the latest batch of Epstein files it was made clear to him that it was time to go," the Sun quoted a friend as saying.

Impact on Royal Family

"Leaving was so humiliating for him that he chose to do it under the cover of darkness."

Future Plans for Andrew

Charles stripped Andrew of his titles in October and said he would be moved after details emerged of his ongoing relationship with Epstein.

The king has also said that his sympathy is with the victims of abuse.

New files related to Epstein published by the U.S. Justice Department on Friday included emails suggesting that Andrew maintained regular contact with Epstein for more than two years after he was found guilty of child sex crimes.

He has denied wrongdoing in connection with Epstein and had previously denied maintaining ties with the financier after Epstein's 2008 conviction, apart from a 2010 visit to New York to end their relationship.

(Reporting by Sarah Young and Michael Holden, Editing by Paul Sandle)