Royal Sources Say Ex-Prince Andrew Is Ready to "Get Back to Dating," but the Royal Family Will "Be Worrying About What He Might Get Up To"

Meanwhile, Andrew's ex is reportedly hoping to "land a rich man" following her own demotion.

Prince Andrew arrives with flowers after the birth of his first daughter, Princess Beatrice, London, 9th August 1988
(Image credit: Georges De Keerle/Getty Images)

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is experiencing some major changes in 2026. Following renewed interest in his association with disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the former Duke of York gave up all of his royal titles. He is also set to leave his home, Royal Lodge in Windsor, for a more discreet property in Sandringham. And according to some sources, the ex-prince might be ready to start dating again.

Andrew's ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, will also be leaving Royal Lodge, having previously maintained a close relationship with her former spouse. As reported by Closer, "Having previously called Andrew...her 'soulmate' despite their divorce...the intentions of her...ex-husband have prompted Sarah to finally cut ties."

"It's like having the golden handcuffs taken off, or at least that's how she’s trying to spin it," a source told the outlet. "Now that she's no longer hitching her wagon to Andrew it's opened up a lot of choices to her, or at least she's convinced it has."

According to the publication, Sarah's alleged decision to look for romance has given Andrew the "green light" to pursue dating, too.

Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew walking into church in black outfits

Sarah's alleged decision to look for romance has given Andrew the "green light" to pursue dating, too.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

One source claimed, "He's even talking about how he wants to get back to dating." However, the outlet noted that the prospect of Andrew dating has the Royal Family "bracing themselves for yet more humiliation in the months ahead."

Speaking to Closer, one source explained, "The royals will be relieved to see him go, but they'll also be worrying about what he might get up to once he's off and operating completely on his own terms." The source continued, "Instead of lying low and accepting some consequences like they'd hoped, he's doubling down on the same arrogance that landed him here in the first place."

Sarah Ferguson wearing a green suit walking behind andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

One source claimed, "He's even talking about how he wants to get back to dating."

(Image credit: Getty Images)

As for Sarah's alleged romance journey, one source told Closer, "She says there's no reason she can't throw herself back into the dating game and land a rich man to make the rest of her days a whole lot easier." They continued, "She's always had a certain charm that attracts powerful and wealthy men and in her view she's not lost that."

Amy Mackelden
Weekend Editor

Amy Mackelden is the weekend editor at Marie Claire, where she covers celebrity and royal family news. She was the weekend editor at Harper’s BAZAAR for three years, where she covered breaking celebrity and entertainment news, royal stories, fashion, beauty, and politics. Prior to that, she spent a year as the joint weekend editor for Marie Claire, ELLE, and Harper's BAZAAR, and two years as an entertainment writer at Bustle. Her additional bylines include Cosmopolitan, People, The Independent, HelloGiggles, Biography, Shondaland, Best Products, New Statesman, Heat, and The Guardian. Her work has been syndicated by publications including Town & Country, Good Housekeeping, Esquire, Delish, Oprah Daily, Country Living, and Women's Health. Her celebrity interviews include Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Chastain, the cast of Selling Sunset, Emma Thompson, Jessica Alba, and Penn Badgley. In 2015, she delivered an academic paper at Kimposium, the world's first Kardashian conference.