The future living arrangements for Muick and Sandy, the corgis inherited from Queen Elizabeth II, remain uncertain as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor prepares to relocate to a property governed by decades-old rules on animal residents.
The former Duke of York and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson adopted the dogs following the late Queen’s death in 2022. When questions arose about the pets during the planned move, Buckingham Palace issued a brief statement confirming only that “the corgis will remain with the family.”
Dogs on the Sandringham estate are assessed on a case-by-case basis, meaning any application to keep them at Marsh Farm would require approval. Cats, however, face an outright ban that applies to all tenants regardless of status or title.
The prohibition was introduced during Elizabeth II’s reign to protect game birds across the 20,000-acre estate in north-west Norfolk, which is renowned for its pheasant and partridge populations. Estate policy has traditionally prioritised conservation over domestic preference, with free-roaming cats considered a threat to wildlife.
Marsh Farm, a brick-built farmhouse approximately two miles from Sandringham House, is believed to contain two reception rooms and a kitchen, with access to surrounding farmland and outbuildings including stables. The property represents a significant change from Royal Lodge, a 30-room mansion set in Windsor Great Park.
Workmen have been preparing the residence in recent days, installing exterior lighting, new fencing, satellite television and modern services ahead of the move.
Former estate staff have noted that while working and family dogs may be permitted following assessment, the cat ban has remained absolute for decades.
