Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been photographed behind the wheel of a brand new, top-of-the-range Land Rover Defender, valued at approximately £75,000. The vehicle, believed to be provided free of charge under a longstanding royal arrangement, was delivered just before his final Christmas at the 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor.
Royal Perks and a Controversial Figure
The 65-year-old former Duke of York appeared furtive as he drove the luxury 4x4 through the gates of his Windsor mansion over the weekend. He was also seen using the vehicle on Boxing Day, followed by what seemed to be royal security in a new Land Rover Discovery. The car is so new it was only registered with the DVLA earlier this month.
This perk stems from a 74-year-old Royal Warrant agreement with Jaguar Land Rover, first granted by King George VI in 1951 and recently renewed by Queen Camilla. As part of the deal with the Tata Motors-owned firm, the royal family is loaned a fleet of vehicles and sometimes tests new models before public release.
Andrew's continued benefit from this arrangement is likely to provoke significant anger, given King Charles stripped him of all his military affiliations and royal patronages in 2022, and he no longer uses his HRH style, following the fallout from his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Fresh Allegations from Epstein Files
The sighting comes as a tranche of newly released court documents related to Epstein includes unverified but serious allegations against the former prince. One alleged victim, now 35, claims in FBI statements to have been taken as a teenager to so-called 'paedophile ring parties' in the UK involving high-profile figures.
The individual alleges they were once taken to Frogmore Cottage, where Ghislaine Maxwell restrained and tortured them with electric shocks, and that Andrew and other men watched the torture take place. In a separate unverified claim, the individual reported being hit by a car driven by Andrew after a party in Surrey.
Surrey Police stated they have found no record of the alleged collision but are engaging with agencies to access redacted information. The files also contain emails from 2001 between Maxwell and a person signing off as 'A', who asks: 'Have you found me some new inappropriate friends?' Speculation has mounted that 'A' could be Andrew, though he has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
A Family Divided and an Uncertain Future
While Andrew spent Christmas isolated at Royal Lodge, his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, were invited to Sandringham by King Charles and Queen Camilla, appearing publicly with the family on Christmas Day.
Andrew's time at Royal Lodge is now limited. 2025 will be his last Christmas there, as he prepares to move out, with Marsh Farm on the King's Sandringham estate in Norfolk being the probable destination.
The long royal association with Land Rover continues despite the controversy. The late Queen Elizabeth II is believed to have owned around 30, Prince Philip's coffin was carried on a custom Defender, and Prince George was photographed on one for his eighth birthday. Jaguar Land Rover declined to comment on the loan of the vehicle to Andrew.
