This is the dated but functional holiday let at where Prince Edward and his family were forced to stay because Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is refusing to leave his temporary home.
Edward and his wife Sophie had wanted to stay in Wood Farm, where Andrew is holed up, for their regular Easter break but were forced to stay in the Gardens House on King Charles‘ Sandringham estate.
The Gardens House is a secluded four bedroom property – costing up to £4,110 a week in the high season – is plain with beige coloured carpets, cream walls, floral patterned curtains and a kitchen with a traditional tiled floor, wooden cupboards and a metal sink.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh usually use Wood Farm for their Easter break, but that is still being lived in by his disgraced brother.
Andrew has been staying at Wood Farm, the former retirement home of his late father Prince Philip, since he moved in early February to Sandringham amid mounting public anger about his links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The disgraced former prince had reportedly been due to move before Easter to a new permanent home at nearby Marsh Farm in the village of Wolferton, once renovations on the five bedroom property are complete.
Concerns were reportedly raised weeks ago that he might drag his feet over his move because he considers Wood Farm as far more suitable for him due to it being more private and hidden from view down a 300-yard drive.
Gardens House was originally touted as one of the possible homes for Andrew when it was revealed in October last year that he was being stripped of his prince title and was leaving his 30-room mansion Royal Lodge at Windsor.
Edward and his wife Sophie had wanted to stay in Wood Farm, where Andrew is holed up, for their regular Easter break but were forced to stay in the Gardens House (pictured) on King Charles ‘ Sandringham estate
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh had planned to use Wood Farm for their annual Easter break
The disgraced former prince, 66, was pictured around the grounds of the King’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk on Saturday
But it is believed that the property which was once the home of the estate’s head gardener was ruled out by King Charles, due to it being just 300 yards away from Sandringham House.
Gardens House has instead continued to be rented out to members of the public as a holiday let, although it is almost fully booked until the end of December 2027.
It is possible that the house may well have been booked by someone else for the days before Easter, leading to their visit being cancelled for Edward and Sophie to have the house instead.
The Norfolk Hideaways website which rents out the house describes it as a ‘charming detached Norfolk hideaway’ owned by the King, and ‘nestled within the heart of his much-loved Sandringham Estate’.
The website adds: ‘This country retreat is the closest estate property to Sandringham House itself, and exudes appreciation of the great outdoors and the beautiful gardens it sits within.
‘As the former residence of HM Queen Elizabeth’s head gardener, the gardens are a sheer delight and provide a superb setting for this idyllic house.
‘Garden House offers charming and relaxed accommodation for eight guests set over two floors. There is a choice of super-king or twin beds in two bedrooms (please specify on booking).
‘The functional kitchen boasts an Aga and there is a comfortable sitting room overlooking the gorgeous garden, which is ideal for relaxing.
‘As well as the formal Walled Garden with its wonderfully stocked beds and borders in which the property sits, there is a more informal garden where you can relax in and children and dogs are safe to run and play.’
The living room inside Gardens House where Prince Edward and his wife Sophie spent Easter
Gardens House was originally touted as one of the possible homes for Andrew when it was revealed in October last year that he was being stripped of his prince title and was leaving his 30-room mansion Royal Lodge at Windsor
Gardens House, which sits just 300 yards away from Sandringham House, was once the home of the estate’s head gardener
The dinner table at Gardens House is worlds away from the usual fine dining set up royals are accustomed to
The website says that the house is ‘within easy walking distance of the Sandringham Visitor Centre and coffee shop, (providing high quality, locally sourced menus)’, although it seems unlikely that Edward and Sophie joined other visitors there.
It adds: ‘Guests are able to enjoy a stroll around the Country Park, with over 200 hectares to enjoy in all. Children will love all the free space to roam as well as the large adventure play area.’
In practice, it is believed that the interior of Gardens House which has walls adorned with framed paintings and prints, is little different to Wood Farm where Prince Philip enjoyed living quietly and simply in his later years.
The official Sandringham website also describes Gardens House as being ‘perfect for a family holiday’ in a property with ‘elegant heritage’ set ‘in the peaceful stillness of the estate woodland’ with dogs ‘warmly welcomed’.
It adds: ‘This light and airy red brick Edwardian property accommodates up to eight guests, with each room thoughtfully furnished with a blend of rustic pieces, modern comforts, and botanical prints.
‘Canine companions are warmly welcomed, and the house features an expansive rear garden for dogs to roam. From the front doorstep, winding paths stretch into the Royal Parkland, offering numerous spots for the perfect picnic or a moment of quiet contemplation.
‘Whether for a family gathering or a peaceful rural escape, a stay at Gardens House offers guests a rare glimpse into the wider estate, as well as a sense of its living history.
The description says the property includes ‘everything you need for a comfortable, independent break’, including WiFi, private gated parking, and ‘a fully equipped kitchen featuring a dishwasher, microwave, and coffee machine, laundry facilities, and a hairdryer’.
Guests are offered a service where provisions can be booked to be at the house before arrival, with breakfast delivered each morning, or with all meals provided by the estate’s ‘private catering service’.
The modest kitchen which likely went unused as the holiday let offers guests a service where provisions can be booked to be at the house before arrival, with breakfast delivered each morning, or with all meals provided by the estate’s ‘private catering service’
In practice, it is believed that the interior of Gardens House which has walls adorned with framed paintings and prints, is little different to Wood Farm where Prince Philip enjoyed living quietly and simply in his later years
The official Sandringham website also describes Gardens House as being ‘perfect for a family holiday’ in a property with ‘elegant heritage’ set ‘in the peaceful stillness of the estate woodland’ with dogs ‘warmly welcomed’
The official Sandringham website also describes Gardens House as being ‘perfect for a family holiday’ in a property with ‘elegant heritage’
The description says the property includes ‘everything you need for a comfortable, independent break’, including WiFi, private gated parking, and ‘a fully equipped kitchen featuring a dishwasher, microwave, and coffee machine, laundry facilities, and a hairdryer’
It was revealed last week that Edward, 62, had become the first member of the Royal family to secretly visit Andrew at his Norfolk bolthole, and had asked him to move into Marsh Farm as soon as possible.
The Duke of Edinburgh pointed out to him that his continuing presence at Wood Farm meant that he and his family were unable to stay there.
It is believed that Edward left Gardens House in time to attend the traditional Easter Sunday church service at Windsor with his 18-year-old son James Earl of Wessex. The Duchess of Edinburgh did not attend due to feeling ‘under the weather’ while Edward’s daughter Lady Louise, 22, was also not there.
Andrew has made regular visits to Marsh Farm in recent days and has had works of art and numerous boxes of possession delivered there, but has not yet moved in, despite having curtains put up and security gates installed to hide it from public view.
The former Royal who was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office on his 66th birthday on February 19 before being released under investigation has also been photographed repeatedly walking his dogs and driving around in his Range Rover in recent days.
A source told The Sun: ‘Andrew was evicted from Royal Lodge at Windsor but now has two homes at his disposal. He is just going back and forth between Wood Farm and Marsh Farm. It’s got to be sorted as Edward and Sophie like to use Wood Farm.’
