Prince Edward has become the first royal to visit Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor since he began his exile in Norfolk, it is claimed.
Andrew, 66, who is currently living at Wood Farm in Sandringham, was reportedly paid a visit by his younger brother Edward, 62, this week, for a ‘quiet word’.
But the visit was apparently not a brotherly show of support – instead, the Duke of Edinburgh and his wife Sophie reportedly wanted to stay in Wood Farm over Easter.
It is claimed the pair are worried that Andrew dragging is his heels at his temporary accommodation before his permanent move to Marsh Farm, which is next door on the estate.
Prince Edward and Sophie were forced to stay in the main house at the King’s Sandringham estate over the break, as Andrew is ‘reluctant to leave’ the Norfolk bolt hole, a source told the Sun.
The source said: ‘Edward has already publicly made his feelings clear when he expressed concern for the victims.
‘Edward was meant to be staying at Wood Farm as he regularly books it for Easter, but his brother was there.
‘Andrew has been dragging his heels. He could have moved by now, but has been reluctant. Edward has had a quiet word with his brother.’
Prince Edward (pictured, left, with his brother Andrew, right, during a service at St Paul’s Cathedral in 2015) was the first family member to visit Andrew in two months
A man and a girl were seen attempting to scale the fence of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s new home on Thursday, Marsh Farm. Andrew is reportedly ‘dragging his heels’ over the move out of Wood Farm, which is also on the Sandringham estate
Two people managed to scale the exterior gate before attempting to peer over a newly erected 6ft fence in front of the farmhouse
He was the first family member to see Andrew in two months. The disgraced former prince has been in hiding following his eviction from Royal Lodge in February over his links to US paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
On Thursday, Andrew got two other visitors in the form of members of the public trying to climb his fence.
Security concerns were sparked when a red car pulled up outside Andrew’s new permanent home at Marsh Farm on Thursday.
Two people got out and proceeded to scale the exterior gate before attempting to peer over a newly erected 6ft fence in front of the farmhouse.
Pictures showed a man and a girl standing on top of the gate while trying to catch a glimpse inside the property, which is undergoing renovation works ahead of Andrew’s move in the coming weeks.
But they didn’t stay for long as Andrew’s security was quick to react and defused the situation before the pair jumped back in their car and drove off.
Andrew appeared to spend that afternoon at his new house and was seen meeting up with the Sandringham estate manager, Edward Parsons.
He is currently living at nearby Wood Farm while his new house is being renovated, but has made several trips there this week to check on the progress.
The former prince had been spotted driving his Range Rover alone into Marsh Farm earlier on Thursday
He also visited the property on Wednesday, looking downcast as he drove around the Sandringham estate
Builders have been working flat out to get the property ready for Andrew, fitting luxury carpets, a Sky dish and a fast broadband connection.
The disgraced ex-Duke, who has been accused of leaking secrets to Jeffrey Epstein, is expected to remain in Norfolk over Easter and will not attend the Royal Family’s traditional service at Windsor this year.
He has been keeping a low profile in Norfolk since his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in a public office on his 66th birthday on February 19.
Over the weekend, Andrew was also spotted inspecting horses near to his home, despite him reportedly being urged to stop riding.
It is understood that aides feared it would be a ‘bad look’ for him to be seen enjoying himself while he is under police investigation for misconduct in public office.
Before moving to Sandringham a few weeks ago, Andrew was regularly seen horse riding around Windsor.
And earlier last week, he had a second-hand static caravan delivered to his current home, which has been propped up on bricks in his garden, bearing signs of moss.
The caravan – a £26,000 Willerby Meridian Lodge – was paid for using money his brother, King Charles, gave him for ‘living expenses’ and it will house his security detail as there is not enough space in his main Norfolk home.
While the probe into Andrew continues, his daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are also understood to have made ‘alternative plans’ for Easter.
The news of their absence from the Easter line-up comes despite sources stressing that the pair remain a key part of the family and will ‘be seen’ at future celebrations.
The Royal Family’s Easter Sunday service is typically only attended by members of The Firm and their engaged or married partners.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to join the King and Queen in Windsor on Sunday, much to the delight of royal fans disappointed by their previous absences.
