What does the longer term maintain for Prince Andrew – with disgraced royal entrenched at Royal Lodge
It is five years since Prince Andrew’s now infamous Newsnight interview. The dust had begun to settle but the recent Amazon Prime series, A Very Royal Scandal, shone a fresh spotlight on the King’s younger brother.
While Netflix‘s Scoop, shown in April, focused on the interview itself, this new account looked at the build up and immediate consequences of an interview which was intended to allay concerns about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, but instead ended his role as a working royal.
So what did happen in the aftermath of the interview described as ‘a plane crashing into an oil tanker, causing a tsunami, triggering a nuclear explosion.’
The most immediate and important trigger was emboldening Virginia Giuffre to bring a civil action alleging sexual abuse against the Prince. In February 2022, he made a multi-million pound settlement – after trying to stop it numerous times.
It also led, in spite of attempts to sustain it with other figureheads, to the end of Pitch@Palace, his networking organisation for entrepreneurs.
Ruth Wilson and Michael Sheen recreating the famous Newsnight interview between Prince Andrew and Emily Maitlis in Amazon’s A Very Royal Scandal
The real Andrew walks with Emily Maitlis after the interview where he spoke about his links to Jeffrey Epstein
Jeffrey Epstein and socialite Ghislaine Maxwell attending the 2005 Wall Street Concert in New York
A sketch of Ghislaine Maxwell by artist jane Rosenberg during her trial at which she was accused of sex trafficking in New York 2021
As more allegations emerged, both from witnesses coming forward to discredit his claims in the Newsnight interview and as further legal depositions were made public in cases brought against Epstein and his Estate, Andrew’s reputation was further diminished.
The trial and conviction of his long-time friend Ghislaine Maxwell, a close associate of Epstein, compounded his difficulties, but it was the death of his mother in September 2022 which was to have the greatest consequences. Hitherto his protector now all bets were off. The new King Charles, long concerned about the reputational damage that his younger sibling was inflicting on the institution of monarchy, moved into action to deal with ‘the Andrew’ problem.
Two of the greatest embarrassments, given that Andrew was no longer a working royal, were the cost to taxpayers of Andrew’s security and of him continuing to live in the 30-room Royal Lodge, Windsor. At first Charles covered the security costs, but now Andrew will have to pay them himself.
Royal Lodge is not only expensive to guard, but also to maintain. Though Andrew has a long lease with the Crown Estate with a peppercorn rent, he is required to ensure the upkeep of the building. Growing evidence of peeling paintwork and vermin has given the King the ammunition to press for Andrew to move out in favour of a more modest property – the old Sussexes’ home Frogmore Cottage is often mentioned – which would be cheaper to maintain and protect.
But Andrew refuses to move aware this is the last bit of status he retains as a member of the Royal Family and he is keen to pass it on to one of his daughters.
Charles is by nature compassionate, hates confrontation and no doubt feels it is better to keep Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson onside rather than risk any potentially damaging repercussions. Sarah, Duchess of York once described herself and Prince Andrew as the happiest divorced couple ever as the pair still live together at Royal Lodge.
There is no obvious new royal tenant – the Waleses are happy with their existing accommodation at Adelaide Cottage, the Edinburghs have extended the lease at their home Bagshot Park and Camilla, even as a widow, will have the use of Clarence House and her own Wiltshire home. Renting the property out commercially has its problems, as it is within the Winsor secure zone.
King Charles first paid for the security costs himself, but from this October Andrew is footing the bill
Royal Lodge is not only expensive to guard, but also to maintain. Though Andrew has a long lease with the Crown Estate with a peppercorn rent, he is required to ensure the upkeep of the building
Cars leaving Royal Lodge after Prince Andrew’s birthday celebrations in 2020
Prince Andrew with his daughter Princess Beatrice at the Queen’s State funeral
Andrew with his brother Prince Charles and Prince William in morning suits during the ceremonial funeral procession of Prince Philip
Contrary to various claims, Andrew is not poor. Apart from his naval pension and financial support from Charles, he has inherited trust income, the monies from his various house sales and business activities and Sarah earns a considerable income – some £200,000 rental income alone from a mews property in Belgravia.
Five years on from the notorious interview, what does the future hold for Andrew, who sits entrenched in Royal Lodge playing computer games and golf, and going for the occasional horse ride? For some time, he continued to believe he could defend himself legally and restore his reputation. It is difficult, given his failure to cooperate with the lawyers of Epstein’s victims, the allegations about him and the fact he paid off Giuffre, to see that happening.
There was a brief moment during the pandemic when his ex-wife enlisted his help with parcels to the needy but redemption through charitable work is unlikely. It would look cynical and is not in the nature of a man who is widely described as entitled, pompous, arrogant and boorish. There may be family roles overseeing an estate, such as Balmoral, but they have not materialised.
The policy appears to be, as it has been with previous members of the Royal Family considered to be embarrassing – such as the epileptic Prince John and Queen Elizabeth’s cousins Katherine and Nerissa Bowes-Lyon who had mental health problems – to keep him out of sight in the hope people will forget about him.
Alas, with television programmes such as A Very Royal Scandal that is unlikely.
Andrew Lownie is presently writing a biography of Prince Andrew to be published next year.
