Sunninghill Park, a sprawling 662-acre estate in Berkshire, stands as a silent enigma in the story of Prince Andrew. Gifted to him and Sarah Ferguson by the Queen as a wedding present, the property has remained largely uninhabited since its purchase in 2007. Locals whisper theories – a fleeting annual occupancy during Royal Ascot, the King and Queen arriving by horse-drawn carriage – but concrete evidence of a life lived within its walls is scarce.
The original twelve-bedroom home was sold for £15 million, yet those who live nearby report no visible signs of habitation. As scrutiny intensifies regarding Prince Andrew’s future at Royal Lodge, his former marital home remains a curious anomaly – maintained by a dedicated staff, but seemingly devoid of a family. One resident recalled seeing Princess Eugenie riding horses on the grounds and Sarah Ferguson running, a time when police presence was commonplace.
Now, the landscape is different. The old house was demolished, replaced by a new structure that sits silently on the hill. Activity is minimal, and opinions are pointed. “Andrew is giving a bad name to the royal family,” one local stated bluntly, suggesting a return to nature would be preferable to the mansion’s continued existence. A Crown Estate sign, partially hidden by foliage, serves as a subtle reminder of the land’s ultimate ownership.
The sale itself was shrouded in intrigue, ultimately completed with a Kazakh billionaire, Timur Kulibayev. Prince Andrew’s connection to Kulibayev’s father-in-law, Nursultan Nazarbayev, the former autocratic president of Kazakhstan, raised eyebrows. Reports surfaced of a goose-hunting expedition shared between the two men during Andrew’s tenure as the UK’s roving trade ambassador – a role now under intense scrutiny. The purchase, facilitated through an offshore trust, was only revealed after diligent investigative journalism.
Further fueling the mystery, locals report the new owners appear to spend only a single week each year at the estate – during Ascot. Land Registry documents suggest the Queen gifted Sunninghill Park at no cost, before it was transferred to a trust and then sold to Kulibayev for £3 million *above* the asking price, despite needing extensive renovation. Today, estimates place its value well over £30 million.
After years of disrepair, the house was demolished in 2015 and rebuilt at a reported cost of £33 million, completed in 2022. Yet, satellite imagery reveals an empty driveway, no vehicles, and no indication of permanent residence. Despite this, ongoing work continues – new trees planted, a small construction site bustling with activity – a testament to the substantial investment being poured into the property’s upkeep.
One local described the rebuilt mansion as a “monstrosity,” lacking charm and resembling something designed by a DIY store. “The upkeep goes on around the year and must cost a fortune,” they added, acknowledging the constant presence of maintenance crews. The estate’s silence speaks volumes, a stark contrast to the ongoing speculation surrounding Prince Andrew’s future and the shadow cast by his association with Jeffrey Epstein.
As the possibility of leaving Royal Lodge looms, Sunninghill Park presents itself as a familiar, albeit enigmatic, bolthole. But the full story of the prince’s dealings, both personal and professional, remains elusive, guarded by a veil of secrecy that continues to deepen.
