Residents and politicians in Norfolk, the British town where King Charles III’s brother Andrew Mountbatten Windsor is expected to move after being stripped of the “prince” title, have expressed unease at the idea of the disgraced royal family member joining their community.

“I know that Andrew’s behavior—and the way he failed and embarrassed our King and the public, is a source of real sadness and anger here,” North Norfolk Member of Parliament (MP) Steff Aquarone told Newsweek.

Why It Matters

After mounting pressure on Andrew’s private life over his involvement with convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday that he was going to lose all his royal titles and move out of his 30-room mansion in Windsor.

Andrew will be moving to a property on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, in East Anglia, owned by and paid by the monarch. 

But the move is not likely to be welcomed by residents. In the past few years, the popularity of the disgraced prince has plummeted. According to a recent YouGov poll, only 13 percent of British people approved of Andrew, while 73 percent disliked him and 10 percent felt neutral about him. 

What To Know

Buckingham Palace said on Thursday that King Charles III had initiated “a formal process” for stripping Andrew of his titles, but it is not yet clear when he will move to the Norfolk residence. Instead, sources mentioned by the BBC said that he won’t leave his current accommodation—the Royal Lodge—immediately.

The then-Prince of Wales, later known as King Edward VII, bought Sandringham—where Andrew is expected to relocate to—in 1862 as a private country retreat. It includes over 150 properties, and it is not yet known which one Andrew will occupy.

Aquarone, a Liberal Democrat, told Newsweek that the people of Norfolk were “appalled” by Epstein’s crimes. Residents have expressed similar feelings talking to local news media.

“He’s a horrible man. We don’t want him up here,” 70-year-old Norfolk resident Susan Larkins told The Sun. 

While Andrew was never formally found guilty of any crimes related to the pedophile financier, Virginia Giuffre accused him of sexually abusing her multiple times when she was a teenager.

The accusation led Andrew to be stripped of several royal duties already in 2022—but he never managed to get the heat off himself in relation to the Epstein scandal. Giuffre died by suicide in April this year at the age of 41.

What People Are Saying

North Norfolk Member of Parliament Steff Aquarone told Newsweek: “I know that people here in Norfolk—and across the country—are appalled by the crimes committed by Jeffrey Epstein, and are rightly keeping the women and girls who suffered at his hands front of mind in our discussions of this issue.

“Norfolk has always had a very special relationship with the monarchy, they come down often for Christmas to spend time together enjoying our wild landscape and beautiful beaches. I know that Andrew’s behavior—and the way he failed and embarrassed our King and the public, is a source of real sadness and anger here. 

“Having disgraced his office I imagine that Andrew will be keeping to himself—and that’s how Norfolk residents would like it.”

Norfolk resident Polly Gledstone, 24, told The Sun: “Charles has taken charge with Andrew, but it’s 20 years too late.”

Norfolk resident Jackie Cruickshank, 72, told GB News: “I just hope when he does come here they (the media) don’t ruin it with all the photographers, because they’re not going to let him go are they.”

What Happens Next

Andrew was said to be excluded from the traditional Royal Family gathering which takes place at Sandringham for Christmas, but it is unclear how the new circumstances might change the situation.

Sources however have told the BBC that his move to Norfolk might be delayed to next year. Despite the title removal, Andrew remains eighth in line to the British throne.