A former royal police officer has disclosed that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was once given a harsh one-word nickname, which he reportedly shared with another member of the royal family. This revelation emerges as Thames Valley Police confirms it is reviewing allegations of misconduct in public office against the ex-prince, following documents released through the United States Department of Justice's Epstein files.
Royal Concerns and Police Review
Earlier this week, King Charles expressed "profound concern" over allegations related to his brother's behaviour. In response, Buckingham Palace issued a statement assuring full cooperation should police formally launch an investigation and contact the royal household. Thames Valley Police Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright stated that the force is leading an assessment of the allegations, engaging with Crown Prosecution Service specialists, though no timeline for a decision on a criminal investigation has been provided.
Costs and Controversies
Speaking on the Palace Confidential podcast, former royal protection officer Dai Davies, who served as an operational commander from 1994 to 1998, highlighted the substantial taxpayer expense of royal security. He estimated that protecting Andrew throughout his life, including during his education at Gordonstoun and service in the Navy, may have cost approximately £150 million. Davies criticised this expenditure, calling the situation a "national scandal" that requires thorough exploration.
Nickname Revelation
Davies revealed that Andrew was known as a "blabbermouth," a nickname also attributed to his uncle, Edward VIII, due to their tendencies to speak freely to journalists. He emphasised that this behaviour has been allowed to "fester," contributing to the current crisis. Emails disclosed by the US Department of Justice appear to show Andrew sharing reports from official trips to Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Singapore during his tenure as the UK's trade envoy.
Ongoing Pressures and Denials
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who has been stripped of his royal titles and patronages by King Charles, faces renewed pressure to testify in the United States regarding his connections to Jeffrey Epstein. While he has previously expressed regret over the friendship, he has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has not commented on the current misconduct allegations. The situation, described as "uncharted territory" by Daily Mail's Jo Elvin, continues to unfold as authorities assess the evidence.
