In a matter of months, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor has lost most of the trappings of his royal life, and a new book alleges to give insight into his current state of mind
Exiled to Norfolk, Andrew’s new life is a lonely existence reportedly filled with “regret” – and soundtracked by late-night video games.
The disgraced Duke moved to his permanent home on King Charles’s Sandringham Estate – Marsh Farm – over Easter, following a stint at his late father’s former residence, Wood Farm. It was there that Andrew was arrested on his 66th birthday back in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrest followed the release of unsealed emails in the Epstein files, which allegedly showed Andrew sending confidential material to the convicted sex offender during his time as the UK’s trade envoy.
Since his spectacular fall from grace, Andrew has been adjusting to a solitary life in a modest property that is a far cry from his former lavish home at Royal Lodge. Insiders report that out of his entire family, only his younger brother, Prince Edward, has bothered to visit him.
The rest of the Royal Family appears to be keeping their distance. It has even been alleged that his daughter, Princess Eugenie, 36, hid her current pregnancy from him.
Speaking to the Mirror ahead of the paperback release of his updated biography, Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, author Andrew Lownie said: “The [claim] that Eugenie didn’t tell her father about her pregnancy shows just how fractured that relationship may be”.
“I think publicly the royals are likely to maintain that distance, but maybe privately [they will see him]. It’s interesting that Edward’s gone, I didn’t think there was great love lost between the brothers, though they are the closest in age. They might be seeing the reputational damage of being associated with him.”
Lownie’s book, which claims 41 pages of explosive new material, features claims that Andrew sorely misses his grandchildren. The last time he was seen publicly with one of his grandchildren was on January 24, when Princess Beatrice, 37, took her daughter Sienna riding with him in Windsor.
According to a staff member quoted in the book, Andrew has “found a deeper connection with nature and animals to help him escape the daily stress of all the ‘unfounded’ allegations'”.
Andrew has vehemently and repeatedly denied all wrongdoing. Last Autumn, King Charles issued a blistering statement confirming that stripping his younger brother of his royal titles and styles was “deemed necessary”.
Providing a rare insight into his mindset, Andrew reportedly confessed to a staff member: “It’s been very hard to deal with. The hardest thing was how it affected my family and put so much burden on them. For that, I’m sorry beyond words, and unfortunately, will have to bear that regret for the rest of my life.”
“I won’t try to kid you. My life has been turned upside down, and often I feel a deep-rooted sense of being alone in the world. I need to establish new routines and networks. Perhaps I’ll end up doing it somewhere else.
“Money isn’t an issue because I’ve made some shrewd business deals over the years that afford me a good lifestyle. I’ve been completely misunderstood, and I’m hopeful that one day the naked truth will finally let out. I won’t lie to you, this has been the most distressing experience of my life.”
A source claims Andrew’s daily routine has become detached from reality alleging that Andrew spends much of his time playing video games late into the night on a “super-sized TV” on which he often watches “hours and hours” of golf. His preferred games allegedly centre around warfare, like Call of Duty and it is claimed in the book “He prioritises gaming over work, health and hygiene.”
The updated book is released as files have been made public relating to Andrew’s appointment as a trade envoy, including one that claims the late Queen Elizabeth was “very keen” for him to be given the position.
In a memo from 2000, then-chief executive of British Trade International Sir David Wright wrote: “The Queen’s wish is that the Duke of Kent should be succeeded in this role by the Duke of York. The Queen is very keen that the Duke of York should take on a prominent role in the promotion of national interests. No other member of The Royal Family would be available to succeed the Duke of Kent. The Duke of York’s adoption of his role would seem a natural fit.”
As the documents were released, Trade minister Chris Bryant said: “We have found no evidence that a formal due diligence or vetting process was undertaken. There is also no evidence that this was considered. It has been standard not to vet members of the Royal family “.
Detectives investigating Andrew have appealed for information, with Thames Valley Police Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright saying: “We encourage anyone with information to get in touch with us.” He added, “Misconduct in public office is a crime that can take different forms, making this a complex investigation. There’s a number of aspects of alleged misconduct that the investigation is examining.”
This is reported to include allegations of sexual misconduct, after an allegation emerged that a woman, who is not British, was sent to Royal Lodge by Epstein to have sex with Andrew, when she was in her 20s in 2010. The woman’s lawyer has claimed that the day after spending the night with Andrew she was given a tour of Buckingham Palace. This allegation is being assessed by the police.
“We hope that anyone with relevant information will come forward whenever they are ready to engage with us; our door is always open,” Thames Valley Police said, adding: “There is a risk that the victim survivors may be put off from contacting us because they feel the weight of public, national and international focus will be too much for them.”
The updated version of Entitled: The Rise and Fall of The House of York by Andrew Lownie is out now
