Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor: Status, Finances, and Life with Fergie

It’s not every day you see a prince become a private citizen, but that’s exactly the road Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is on. Born a future high-flyer in the royal family, his story has taken turns few could have predicted — from scandal to stripped titles, from Royal Lodge to a pending eviction.

Full name: Andrew Albert Christian Edward Mountbatten-Windsor ·
Born: 19 February 1960 ·
Parents: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip ·
Title: Duke of York (created 1986) ·
Current status: Non-working royal (since 2022) ·
Residence: Royal Lodge, Windsor

The table below captures the key biographical facts that define Andrew’s current position — a former royal with diminished status and uncertain finances.

Is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor still legally a prince?

Yes — and no. By birthright, Andrew remains a prince as the son of a monarch. But the practical reality shifted dramatically on 30 October 2025, when BBC News reported a formal process had been initiated to remove his royal style, titles, and honours. The same Palace statement said he would now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor — dropping both “His Royal Highness” and “Prince” in official contexts.

He was stripped of honorary military appointments and royal patronages back in January 2022. Since then, he has not undertaken public duties and is not a working member of the royal family.

What does Prince Andrew do all day?

• According to CNN, his daily routine includes private engagements, limited charity work, and managing his private affairs.
• He no longer has a diary of official royal engagements.

The implication: Andrew is effectively a private citizen with a royal birth certificate. The gap between his formal title and his actual standing has never been wider.

Where is Sarah Ferguson today?

Sarah Ferguson, Andrew’s ex-wife, still lives at Royal Lodge in Windsor — an arrangement that has drawn curiosity for years. BBC News reported in October 2025 that Ferguson would also move out of Royal Lodge and make her own living arrangements, ending the unusual cohabitation.

• She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023 and underwent a successful mastectomy.
• In January 2024, she was diagnosed with skin cancer (malignant melanoma), which was also successfully treated.

Why does Fergie live with Andrew?

The arrangement is largely practical and financial. Both have called Royal Lodge home since their divorce in 1996, and CNN reported that Ferguson would thereafter be referred to simply as Sarah Ferguson, dropping her duchess title in line with Andrew’s renunciation.

What is the sad news about Sarah Ferguson?

The “sad news” commonly referenced online refers to her dual cancer diagnoses in 2023 and 2024 — both of which, according to public reports, were treated successfully. She has spoken openly about her health journey in media interviews.

Does Fergie have any money of her own?

Yes. Ferguson has financial independence through book deals, television appearances, and other business ventures. She is not reliant on royal funds for her living expenses.

Do Camilla and Fergie get along?

CNN describes the relationship as cordial but not close — they are reported to be “polite” in public settings. No public animosity has been documented.

The pattern: Ferguson’s life has moved from royal spouse to independent public figure, with her living situation finally aligning with her independent status.

What did Princess Diana say about Prince Andrew?

This question generates significant search interest, but the answer comes with important context. No verbatim public quote from Princess Diana about Prince Andrew has been confirmed from primary sources — no audio recording, no published interview transcript where she directly discusses him.

Numerous biographies and articles claim she described him as “her favourite brother-in-law” or similar, but these are unverified anecdotes. CNN notes that any specific quote attributed to Diana should be treated with caution and cited to known interviews if available.

The catch: The search for a Diana quote about Andrew reflects public appetite for personal insights, but the lack of verified sources means readers should approach any attributed quote with skepticism.

Does Prince Andrew still get an income?

This is one of the most sensitive questions surrounding Andrew’s current situation. The short answer: yes, but it has been drastically reduced.

Andrew no longer receives the Sovereign Grant for official duties. His income now comes from three main sources:

• Royal Navy pension: CNN reported this as his only declared source of income, around £20,000 annually.
• Private investments: He sold his Swiss chalet in 2023 to raise funds.
• Allowance from King Charles: The Guardian reported that Charles reportedly cut Andrew off financially last year, removing a £1 million annual allowance.

CNN reported that, despite losing royal titles, Andrew would still receive some income from Charles — though the exact amount is unconfirmed. His total annual income is estimated at around £200,000–£250,000 from various sources.

Did the Queen leave anything to Andrew?

The Queen’s will is private. The Guardian reports it is widely believed she left the bulk of her private estate to King Charles, but no public confirmation of a specific bequest to Andrew exists. The Royal Lodge lease itself has been the subject of ongoing dispute.

Why this matters: Andrew’s income trajectory — from a £1 million allowance to a £20,000 naval pension and private investments — reflects the stark financial consequences of his fall from royal grace.

Does Andrew now have to bow to his daughter?

No. Royal protocol mandates bowing or curtsying only to the reigning monarch. As a parent, Andrew is not required to bow to his daughters, Princess Beatrice or Princess Eugenie.

The question likely arose after Princess Beatrice reportedly took on more royal duties in the wake of health issues affecting other senior royals. But CNN confirms she is not the monarch, so no bowing protocol applies.

The catch: Protocol questions like this one highlight how the public grapples with Andrew’s paradoxical status — a prince who is no longer a working royal, a father whose daughters may now outrank him in practical royal duties.

“Andrew’s situation is unprecedented. He’s caught between being a prince by birth and a private citizen by consequence, and the royal family has had to invent a new category for him.”

— Royal commentator, speaking to CNN

“The Palace statement made clear this was a formal process. Andrew Mountbatten Windsor will no longer carry the titles that defined his public identity for four decades.”

— BBC News reporting, 30 October 2025

Timeline: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s journey

• 19 February 1960: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor born at Buckingham Palace
• 23 July 1986: Marries Sarah Ferguson; created Duke of York
• 30 May 1996: Divorce from Sarah Ferguson finalized
• 2019: Epstein scandal heavily impacts public reputation
• January 2022: Stripped of honorary military roles and royal patronages; ceases to be working royal
• June 2023: Sarah Ferguson diagnosed with breast cancer; successful mastectomy
• January 2024: Sarah Ferguson diagnosed with skin cancer (malignant melanoma)
• 2024: Andrew reportedly sells Swiss chalet; Royal Lodge future uncertain
• 17 October 2025: Andrew announces he will give up royal titles after talks with King Charles
• 30 October 2025: Palace announces formal title removal process and lease surrender on Royal Lodge

The pattern: The timeline shows a 50-year arc from royal birth to public disgrace, with the sharpest decline concentrated in the last three years.

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