Prince Andrew’s past business dealings have sparked fresh intrigue, with claims that key paperwork has “vanished.” As questions swirl around his finances, the plot thickens, leaving one author and many Brits scratching their heads.
A Game of Hide and Seek with Andrew’s Records
Author Andrew Lownie, who’s been working on a book about the Duke of York for years, claims to have hit a brick wall. Despite submitting over 100 Freedom of Information requests, the paper trail seems to have mysteriously disappeared.
Speaking to Sky News, Lownie quipped: “I used to write about the intelligence services. They were more transparent than the Royal Family!” He added, “It’s like playing whack-a-mole. One department claims ignorance, the next claims it’s lost. It’s classic Yes Minister.”
The Royal Money Mystery
Recent revelations that King Charles has stopped paying Andrew an allowance have only added to the intrigue. How, people wonder, is Andrew funding his plush life at Royal Lodge, Windsor, complete with security detail?
The duke’s tenure as the UK’s trade envoy from 2001 to 2011 could hold some answers, given the lucrative connections he likely made. However, with no documents to scrutinise, speculation runs rampant.
Official Stonewalling or Simple Misplacement?
The Department for Business and Trade insists it has followed the Freedom of Information Act and claims any withheld information is in line with legal requirements. Similarly, the Foreign Office says it takes transparency seriously—though it didn’t clarify why records appear to have disappeared into the ether.
Meanwhile, Baroness Margaret Hodge, former chair of the Public Accounts Committee, isn’t buying it. “I don’t believe they’ve lost those records—they just don’t want to share them,” she said. “If we’re funding the Royal Family, there must be accountability.”
A Friend with Questionable Benefits
To make things more awkward, a Chinese businessman with alleged ties to Andrew has been barred from entering the UK over national security concerns. Known only as “H6,” this individual was reportedly close enough to Andrew to get invited to his birthday party in 2020.
While Andrew’s office insists the relationship was severed once concerns were raised, the revelation doesn’t help his already embattled reputation.
The Royal Lodge Dilemma
Royal Lodge, once the Queen Mother’s home, has become a focal point of media interest. Andrew’s continued residence there raises eyebrows, particularly given its history and significance. Whispers suggest that other royals, from William and Kate to Camilla, may have their eyes on the property.
But journalist Robert Hardman summed up the issue neatly: “Everything about Prince Andrew is opaque and confusing. What happens if his funds run dry? Could he forfeit his lease? It’s anyone’s guess.”
A Tainted Legacy
Five years ago, Andrew’s infamous BBC interview about his links to Jeffrey Epstein was meant to clear his name. Instead, it tanked his public standing, making him a permanent tabloid fixture.
This year, he’s been largely invisible, save for a few official appearances. While he may join the royal family at Sandringham for Christmas, his presence serves as a reminder of the scandals that continue to haunt him.
The Final Word
Andrew’s financial and personal woes show no sign of fading from the public eye. With missing paperwork, awkward friendships, and an unresolved royal fallout, the Duke of York’s story remains one of the most baffling sagas in modern royal history.
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