The most haunted royal residence is often dubbed as Windsor Castle, with over 25 reported ghost sightings, but it is not the only property with tales of paranormal activity.
One building on the sprawling Sandringham Estate in Norfolk has never been occupied by the late Queen, despite its significant ties to her family.
The reason for this might be an overstaying spectral resident in York Cottage, which is nestled within the grounds of the Sandringham Estate and is sometimes known as ‘The Bachelor’s Cottage’, OK! reports.
The royal who used to live here was embroiled in numerous scandals during his lifetime and was even accused of being the infamous Jack the Ripper serial killer. He would have ascended to the throne if not for a tragic event.
York Cottage was initially built as an additional dwelling for the main Sandringham House. While the exact construction date remains uncertain, King Edward VII (then Prince of Wales) gifted it to his son and daughter-in-law, the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George V and Queen Mary), in 1893.
Prior to this, Prince Albert Victor, King Edward VII’s eldest son, resided in York Cottage until his untimely death from influenza in 1892.
The cottage serves as the estate office for Sandringham and provides accommodation for staff. However, it’s rumoured that one notable figure may have ‘lingered’. Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale, was born on January 8, 1864 at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor but spent many years residing at York Cottage.
The late Queen’s great-uncle was a contentious character, once suspected in the Jack the Ripper murders. Rumours circulated that he was the infamous Whitechapel murderer, supported by two theories.
One theory suggested that the prince contracted syphilis from a prostitute in the West Indies, which led him to a murderous spree as the disease spread to his brain, driving him insane.
The second theory proposed that Albert fell in love with, fathered a child with, and secretly wed a Catholic girl in Whitechapel. The narrative suggests that this was an undesirable union and the East End killings were carried out by Royal Family agents who eliminated anyone aware of the prince’s clandestine marriage or offspring.
Despite these theories, it’s widely accepted that he wasn’t the Whitechapel serial killer, as the prince was 500 miles away in Balmoral with his grandmother Queen Victoria on the night of the double murder on September 30, 1888.
Prince Albert Victor’s life was riddled with rumours, including his alleged involvement in the Cleveland Street Scandal of 1889. When a male brothel catering to homosexuals was unearthed by the police, it was reported that Prince Albert Victor had been a visitor.
The scandal sparked massive criticism of the government, who were accused of sweeping the controversy under the rug to shield aristocratic patrons. In 1891, Prince Albert Victor proposed to Princess Victoria Mary of Teck (the future Queen Mary), and their wedding was planned for the following year.
However, less than a week after his 28th birthday, Prince Albert Victor succumbed to the Influenza pandemic, and his younger brother, the future King George V, took his place as heir.
Get the latest celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily Showbiz newsletter here.