Where Will He Live and What Resources Will He Have?
Following King Charles III’s decision to strip Prince Andrew of his titles, the British royal family continues to grapple with repercussions from the scandal linked to their associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Prince Andrew, 65, will be required to leave his 30-room royal mansion in Windsor, as announced by Buckingham Palace on Thursday night. He will relocate to Sandringham, a vast private royal estate with numerous residences. The palace specified that he will live at the king’s expense to avoid controversy.
According to The Guardian, Prince Andrew might receive a six-figure sum for vacating Royal Lodge, as per the 2003 lease agreement with the Crown Estate managing the British Crown’s assets. Additionally, he would receive an annual allowance from the king to cover his daily expenses.
As a former Royal Navy officer, Prince Andrew receives an annual pension of £20,000 and holds significant personal wealth. However, King Charles III withdrew his annual £1 million allowance last year.
His move is not expected before Christmas due to logistical reasons and to avoid his presence during the holidays at Sandringham, where the royal family typically gathers.
Does He Face Legal Charges?
Prince Andrew has always denied accusations from Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s alleged victims, who claimed to have had sexual relations with the prince twice when he was 17. In 2022, Prince Andrew reached an out-of-court financial settlement with Giuffre to end a US lawsuit.
Virginia Giuffre died by suicide in April last year. A US Congressional committee continues to investigate the case, with some members calling for Prince Andrew to testify.
Virginia Giuffre’s brother, Sky Roberts, stated that Prince Andrew “should be in prison.” In the UK, police, who closed a previous investigation in 2021, are now examining a journalistic allegation that Prince Andrew asked a member of his security detail to gather information about Giuffre to discredit her.
Will He Remain in the Line of Succession?
Despite losing his titles, Prince Andrew remains eighth in the line of succession to the British throne.
There have been calls in recent days to prevent him from inheriting the throne, though the likelihood is very low. Such a move would require a Parliamentary decision and approval from all Commonwealth countries.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesperson clarified on Friday that the government “has no plans to change the law” regarding this matter.
Towards Greater Control of the Royal Family?
Criticized for its slow response to Prince Andrew, the royal family has emerged weakened by the scandal, reigniting debate over parliamentary control of the Crown.
MP Rachael Maskell proposed a bill to facilitate the removal of noble titles from those who possess them.
The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament requested information from the Crown Estate and the Treasury about the lease agreement granted to Prince Andrew, which allowed him not to pay rent after a substantial initial payment.
“This case is an opportunity for the royal family to be more transparent in its operations, especially regarding finances,” historian and Prince Andrew biographer Andrew Lownie stated. “By attempting to shift all blame onto Andrew, they are trying to avoid a more thorough examination of the rest of the family.”
Key Questions and Answers
- Where will Prince Andrew live after leaving Windsor? He will relocate to Sandringham, a private royal estate with multiple residences.
- What financial resources will Prince Andrew have? He may receive a six-figure sum for vacating Royal Lodge and an annual allowance from the king to cover daily expenses.
- Does Prince Andrew face legal charges? He has denied accusations from Virginia Giuffre and reached a financial settlement with her. However, a US Congressional committee continues to investigate the case.
- Will Prince Andrew remain in the line of succession? Yes, he remains eighth in the line of succession despite losing his titles. A change would require a Parliamentary decision and approval from Commonwealth countries.
- Is there a push for greater control of the royal family? Yes, the scandal has reignited debate over parliamentary control of the Crown, with calls for more transparency in royal finances.
