The Duchess of York has settled her debts

The duchess, 42, has described the move as the start of "an exciting chapter" in her life.

Possessions are already being moved from storage into her new Surrey home two miles from Sunninghill - the four-bedroom Windlesham Court House in the sought-after village of Windlesham.

But the duchess stressed that despite the move, it was "important to keep the mother and father unity close" for their daughters' sakes.

She was speaking on a visit to a school in London's Notting Hill to launch an educational pack of material for children.

Privacy

The duchess had been living in the stable wing of Sunninghill House, where Prince Andrew also lives.

She originally moved out after the couple's divorce in 1996, when she moved into a �6,000-a-month rented home in Wentworth.

But she could not afford to keep up the payments, and so moved back to Sunninghill.

Houses in Wentworth usually sell for more than �2m, and two-bedroom flats fetch �400,000.

It is thought the duchess will pay about �5,000 a month for the detached house she is renting, chosen for its security, seclusion and privacy.