Prince Edward visited Andrew over Easter because he was worried about his mental state after Epstein files arrest

Prince Edward visited his disgraced brother at his Sandringham Estate retreat over the Easter weekend because he was concerned about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s mental state, the Daily Mail has revealed.

As the police investigation into Andrew’s links to billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein gained momentum, Edward became increasingly concerned about the health of his older brother, with whom he once shared a close bond.

Edward’s visit, accompanied by his wife Sophie, was the first by any member of the Royal family since Andrew’s ‘exile’ to Norfolk.

The trip to see him at his temporary home at Wood Farm was described as a ‘fraternal welfare check’.

Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on February 19 on suspicion of misconduct in public office over allegations she shared confidential material with a convicted child sex offender while serving as Britain’s trade envoy.

Those close to Edward describe him as ‘deeply unsettled’ in recent weeks; They are concerned not only about the horrific allegations that have once again shaken his brother, but also about fears for Andrew’s mental and physical state as the police investigation continues.

While King Charles took a firm line, insisting that Andrew distance himself from the public sphere and leave Royal Lodge at Windsor for Sandringham, Edward is said to have quietly played the role of mediator.

The former prince was spotted heading from Wood Farm to Marsh Farm on the Sandringham Estate on Monday, accompanied only by his dogs.

The trip to see him at his temporary Wood Farm home (pictured) was described as a ‘fraternal welfare check’

A source said: ‘Edward and Sophie had dinner with Andrew one night at the weekend and talked it through.

‘It’s fair to say they were both sorry for Andrew and concerned about how far he had fallen and his fragile state of mind.

‘They feel sorry for him but of course that doesn’t excuse his behaviour.

‘It’s a difficult balancing act to support him without turning a blind eye to what he’s involved in.

‘Andrew still maintains he has done nothing wrong and thinks he will be exonerated one day, but I think Edward will have tried to talk some sense into him and make it clear that his days as royalty are over.’

Edward publicly called for people to focus solely on the victims of the Epstein scandal.

He said in February, before Andrew’s arrest: ‘I think it’s very important to always remember the victims and who the victims of these events are.

But a royal source told the Mail: ‘Privately, he still supports his brother.

‘Both he and Princess Anne are understandably concerned about Andrew’s mental state and what will happen to him.’

The source discounted any claims of disagreement over the brothers’ property arrangements.

Reports at the weekend suggested the siblings had a falling out because Edward and Sophie expected Andrew, 66, to vacate the farmhouse last Thursday.

But royal sources insist there is no ‘bad blood’ between the brothers and that Edward, 62,’s visit to Andrew was ‘purely motivated by anxiety’.

The late Queen Elizabeth’s two youngest sons enjoyed a “friendly” exchange as well as dinner with Sophie, 61, and there were “no real disagreements” over holiday accommodation, an insider said.

Prince Edward and Sophie usually stay at Wood Farm when visiting Sandringham but were unable to do so this Easter as Andrew is still based there.

The reason for Thailand was that the final construction work on Andrew’s new permanent home, Marsh Farm, less than a mile away, was not quite finished yet.

Instead, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were housed at Gardens House, a modest commercial holiday property closer to Sandringham House.

But royal sources today insisted the brothers were not at loggerheads over the matter.

Prince Edward and Sophie stayed at Gardens House (pictured) on the King’s Sandringham estate rather than their usual Easter retreat, Wood Farm, because Andrew was staying in their place.

Edward’s visit, accompanied by his wife Sophie (pictured with him in November 2025), was the first by any member of the Royal family since Andrew went into ‘exile’ in Norfolk.

Marsh Farm (pictured) has undergone months of renovations, including the installation of a new security fence

‘Edward and his family were due to stay at Wood Farm but had to spend a few days at the main Sandringham House, which is not normally open at this time of year,’ a source said.

‘Personnel, heating etc. The expense wasn’t worth it, but within a few days they moved into Gardens House holiday home on the site.

‘Edward wasn’t exactly angry, but it was just annoying.

‘After all, Edward and Sophie still live in a sort of grandeur at their large mansion, Bagshot Park, and Andrew now lives in a small mansion.

‘This is quite the contrast.’

Yesterday, the former Duke of York appeared to have finally moved from Wood Farm, where he was staying while his permanent home was being prepared, to nearby Marsh Farm, where he spent the night.

The news left observers wondering why he had failed to complete the move before Easter and allow the Edinburghers to use Wood Farm.

He was accompanied only by his dogs on a 20-minute walk between two properties on Monday.

Andrew had his head down and appeared lost in thought as he walked to his new home.

His staff were seen arriving at the farm moments earlier and carrying bags into the five-bedroom property, which has been under renovation for months.

Andrew had been living at Wood Farm since the beginning of February after King Charles evicted him from the Royal Lodge at Windsor, which he shared with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.

He was banned from this address due to his and his ex-girlfriend Sarah Ferguson’s connections to pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The former Victorian working farm where Andrew now resides permanently has undergone extensive renovations, including luxury carpets, a Sky aerial, a fast broadband connection and security fencing.

Over the last few weeks, hundreds of boxes believed to contain Andrew’s belongings have been delivered, many with HRH written on the side.

A large white mobile home was also built on the grounds for security personnel to live in.

Marsh Farm, which includes a main house with two reception rooms, a kitchen and several outbuildings, is believed to have stood empty for at least five years.

It lies on a flood plain two miles from King Charles’ main Sandringham House and is cut off from the rest of Norfolk by Dersingham Marsh.

Over the past two weeks Andrew has been seen making regular trips to Marsh Farm to inspect the property before moving in.

He was seen smiling as he drove his Range Rover off-road on Monday.

A series of deeply embarrassing photos and emails relating to Andrew’s friendship with Epstein were revealed as part of files released by the US Department of Justice.

He is also accused of sharing confidential information with pedophiles while serving as the UK Government’s trade envoy.

But it seems that for Edward, the story is no longer about scandal or anger. It turned into a struggle to keep brotherly love alive in the family, where love often had to wait its turn behind duty.

Buckingham Palace has been contacted for comment.