‘I labored for Andrew Windsor – what I noticed inside his cottage left me surprised’
Former royal butler Grant Harrold has spoken exclusively about Wood Farm cottage on the Sandringham estate, describing it as ‘small and humble’ compared to Royal Lodge
He was arrested last week(Image: AP)
Fallen royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor hasn’t been spotted beyond Wood Farm, situated on the Royal Family’s Sandringham estate, since his dramatic detention on February 19.
Wood Farm Cottage held special significance for Andrew’s deceased father Prince Philip, who resided there following his withdrawal from official duties in 2017, yet for the ex-Duke of York it serves merely as temporary accommodation whilst awaiting completion of nearby Marsh Farm’s refurbishment.
Andrew is, based on the Daily Mail’s Robert Hardman’s reporting, considerably less enchanted with the charming cottage than his father had been and has “done nothing but complain since he got there.”
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However, speaking exclusively to Reach PLC, former royal butler Grant Harrold remarked that Wood Farm represents “the kind of place many of us would dream of living in.”
The five-bedroomed property in Wolferton on the Sandringham Estate sits roughly two miles from the principal Sandringham House, reports the Mirror.
The dwelling received extensive renovation, incorporating an entirely new kitchen, prior to Prince Philip’s arrival, though Grant maintains it falls considerably short of the luxurious accommodation Andrew would have grown accustomed to.
Grant observed: “Wood Farm is a very cute farm house, and the kind of place many of us would dream of living in, but it’s no Royal Lodge, not by any means.”
He continues: “It had a sitting room and dining room, plus a separate kitchen and a utility room. Prince Philip did a bit of modification with the late Queen because they used it when they went to Sandringham. They modernised it and it’s beautiful. It’s nicely done. It’s just not what you’d expect at [Buckingham] Palace.
“It’s got a few guest rooms, so it’s small and humble. It’s very different in scale. I remember being quite surprised at the garden, it’s quite plain. It’s not a house that’s ever had a full-time occupant before. I wouldn’t class this as a royal home, but I think that’s why most of the royals liked it so much – it felt a lot more ‘normal’.”
He remembers that the cottage was also utilised by younger members of the Royal Family, including Prince William and Prince Harry, prior to their bitter rift in 2018.
Grant reveals “I went there with Prince William and Harry. Prince Philip used to let them go and have the weekends with their friends, and Kate [Middleton] used to join them.
“It was enjoyable. Kate used to assume the position of ‘Lady of the House’ during the stays. She was responsible for arranging the meals, coordinating the guests, deciding which bedrooms people occupied. The late Queen and Prince Philip used to visit there frequently, but it’s extremely isolated. It was Prince Philip’s personal retreat and he utilised it extensively during his final years.”
The cottage serves merely as a short-term solution for Andrew, with expectations he’ll relocate to the more substantial Marsh Farm eventually. Whilst Marsh Farm would represent a desirable residence for most people, Robert Jobson, author of The Windsor Legacy: A Royal Dynasty of Secrets, Scandal and Survival, suggests it requires extensive refurbishment.
He revealed to Vanity Fair: “Not much is known about it. It’s quite boggy, a bit of a shell. It’s not finished yet.”
It’s understood Andrew will take up residence, potentially by early April, following completion of the restoration work.
The Sandringham estate in its entirety was purchased as a private rural sanctuary for the future Edward VII whilst he remained Albert, Prince of Wales in 1862, and has subsequently been handed down through royal generations.
The principal residence is most recognised as the location where royals customarily congregate during Christmas. The neighbouring Anmer Hall serves as Prince William and his spouse Catherine’s countryside hideaway throughout the school summer break.
Andrew was detained on suspicion of misconduct in a public office on his 66th birthday last Thursday. He has been freed pending further investigation and maintains his denial of any impropriety regarding his connections with Jeffrey Epstein.
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