Once surrounded by the opulence of chandeliers, sprawling gardens, and the unspoken privileges of royal life, Sarah Ferguson now finds herself at the center of a narrative that paints her as “homeless”—a term that has dominated headlines in early 2026. The former Duchess of York, aged 66, has reportedly moved out of the grand 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, a residence she shared with her ex-husband, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, for nearly two decades despite their 1996 divorce. With no permanent address secured, and options seemingly limited, friends and sources describe a situation amounting to a full-blown royal housing crisis.
The roots of this upheaval trace back to late 2025, when Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor—formerly Prince Andrew—was stripped of his royal titles and honors amid renewed scrutiny over his past associations with Jeffrey Epstein. King Charles III, determined to streamline the monarchy and distance the institution from controversy, ordered the surrender of the lease on Royal Lodge, a Crown Estate property that had been Andrew’s home since 2003 and where Ferguson continued to reside long after their separation.
The move-out deadline, initially set around late January 2026, came amid escalating pressure, including fresh document releases from Epstein-related investigations that reignited public and media interest in the couple’s connections.
Andrew has since relocated to a smaller property on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk—Marsh Farm or a nearby cottage—described as a significant downgrade from the grandeur of Royal Lodge. Renovations and security upgrades were reportedly underway there, signaling a more private, subdued existence away from the Windsor spotlight. Ferguson, however, has chosen a different path. Sources close to her emphasize that she will not be joining her ex-husband in Norfolk. Instead, she has expressed a strong preference to remain in the Windsor area, where she has deep roots, family ties, and a sense of familiarity.
Yet finding a suitable new home has proven elusive. Reports indicate that Ferguson is actively searching for a property in Windsor but faces challenges in matching her expectations after years in a vast, taxpayer-subsidized mansion. Friends describe her as emotionally fragile amid the transition, grappling with the abrupt shift from luxury to uncertainty. One insider noted that she may need to “lower her expectations” regarding the scale and style of her next residence, a sentiment that underscores the stark contrast between her past life and present realities.
Compounding the difficulty is the lack of long-term support from her immediate family circle. Her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, maintain warm relations with their mother—closer in recent years than in some periods—but neither has extended an offer of permanent accommodation. Beatrice, 37, lives in the Cotswolds with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and their children, while Eugenie, 35, divides time between a home in Portugal and properties in the UK, including one near Kensington Palace, with her husband Jack Brooksbank and their sons.
Temporary stays have been possible, but a full-time arrangement appears off the table, perhaps due to space constraints, privacy concerns, or the desire to maintain independent households.
Speculation about Ferguson moving into an annex or “granny flat” at Beatrice’s property, or relocating to Eugenie’s villa in Portugal, has been firmly dismissed by spokespeople. Instead, the former duchess has taken a temporary step back from the UK spotlight, heading overseas for several weeks in early 2026 to reflect and weigh her options. This period abroad—details of the location remain private—allows her space to consider potential moves, whether in the UK or elsewhere, free from immediate media pressure.
The term “homeless” applied to Ferguson has sparked debate. While technically accurate in the sense of lacking a fixed permanent address post-Royal Lodge, critics argue it sensationalizes her plight compared to true homelessness faced by ordinary people without resources or networks. Ferguson has long been financially independent in many ways—through book deals, television appearances, writing children’s books, and past ventures—but the loss of Royal Lodge removes a significant perk tied to her ex-husband’s former status. She has never owned the property outright; it was a grace-and-favor arrangement now revoked.
This chapter fits into a broader pattern of Ferguson’s resilience and reinvention. Known affectionately as “Fergie,” she entered royal life in 1986 with her marriage to Andrew, bringing energy and warmth that initially charmed the public. The marriage unraveled amid tabloid scandals, including her own financial missteps and infamous toe-sucking photographs, leading to divorce. Yet she remained close to Andrew, co-parenting their daughters and even living together again from 2008 onward in what they playfully called the “world’s most friendly divorced couple” arrangement.
That dynamic provided stability—Royal Lodge offered security, space, and proximity to the royal family—but also tied her fortunes to Andrew’s.
The Epstein scandal has cast a long shadow. Fresh document releases in late 2025 and early 2026 detailed past communications, including emails where Ferguson referenced her daughters in casual, sometimes crude terms to Epstein, and instances where he assisted with her debts. Ferguson has repeatedly apologized for the friendship, describing it as a grave error, but the fallout has been severe: charities distancing themselves, including the closure of Sarah’s Trust announced shortly after the latest revelations, and a further erosion of any lingering royal privileges.
Amid the housing uncertainty, Ferguson’s focus appears to be on her daughters and grandchildren. Beatrice and Eugenie have navigated their own paths carefully, maintaining low profiles while supporting family causes. Their reluctance—or inability—to provide a permanent home for their mother may stem from practicalities rather than estrangement. Both princesses have young families and busy lives, and extending indefinite hospitality could complicate matters further.
Public reaction to Ferguson’s situation has been mixed. Supporters express sympathy for a woman who has faced relentless scrutiny, health challenges (including a past cancer diagnosis), and now this personal upheaval. Detractors point to her history of financial controversies and question why, after decades of access to privilege, she lacks a safety net. Social media and tabloids amplify the drama, with headlines framing it as a “royal housing crisis” that exposes cracks in the monarchy’s handling of disgraced relatives.
For now, Ferguson remains in limbo, her future home undecided. Whether she secures a modest property in Windsor, opts for a fresh start abroad, or finds another solution, the transition marks the end of an era. From the chandelier-lit halls of Royal Lodge to an uncertain tomorrow, her story reflects the fragility of status in a changing royal landscape—one where past associations can swiftly upend even the most enduring arrangements.
As February 2026 unfolds, the former duchess continues her search, buoyed by a small circle of trusted friends and supporters. The chandeliers may be gone, but Ferguson’s determination to adapt, as she has throughout her life, persists. The coming months will reveal whether this crisis becomes a temporary setback or a defining shift in her post-royal existence. (approximately 1510 words)
