Andrew Windsor welcomes guests amid new restrictions

An insider said: “Andrew has effectively surrounded himself with what you might call his seven ‘guests’ – dogs who have become a constant presence in his daily life, and given how isolated he is now, they have taken on much greater emotional significance as companions.

‘But even within that there are firm boundaries that he cannot cross. The Sandringham estate operates under strict rules, and one of the clearest is the outright ban on cats.

“No matter what Andrew personally prefers, it is simply non-negotiable. It is a reminder that his living situation is now under strict control in a way it has never been before.”

The restrictions follow long-standing policies on the Sandringham estate, where tenants must adhere to wildlife protections introduced during Elizabeth’s reign. Cats are banned to protect local bird populations, while dogs are only allowed under controlled conditions.

Sources say Andrew has been reminded of those boundaries.

An insider added: ‘Even in what many would describe as a form of exile, Andrew still operates within a very defined set of restrictions, and those rules are enforced without exception.

“The ‘no cats’ policy may seem like a minor point on the surface, but it is absolutely set in stone – there is no flexibility at all.”