Former civil servants have come forward with allegations that Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor misappropriated taxpayer funds during his tenure as the United Kingdom’s trade envoy. Claims have emerged that these funds were used for personal expenses, including massage services. This revelation follows a recent investigation into Andrew’s spending practices, which has intensified scrutiny regarding his conduct.
One former official, who wished to remain anonymous, described an instance where he objected to a bill related to “massage services.” Speaking to the BBC, the individual recalled, “I thought it was wrong… I’d said we mustn’t pay it, but we ended up paying it anyway.” This official stated that despite his refusal to authorize the payment, senior staff overruled his objections. Reflecting on the situation years later, he expressed regret for not pressing harder against the expense, acknowledging, “I can’t say it would have stopped him, but we should have flagged that something was wrong.”
Another former Whitehall official characterized the spending as excessive, detailing a pattern of lavish expenditures associated with Andrew’s official travel. “I couldn’t believe it… it was like it wasn’t real money; they weren’t spending any of their own money,” the source remarked. Claims suggest that Andrew frequently took flights, booked multiple hotel rooms, and accommodated a large entourage during official trips. The official noted that oversight was minimal, with expenses often receiving what he described as a “rubber stamp” approval process.
These allegations surfaced shortly after Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was detained for approximately ten hours before being released and later photographed returning to Wood Farm, where he has been residing since vacating Royal Lodge. The investigation into his conduct also includes claims that Andrew shared confidential trade information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Emails released by the U.S. Department of Justice appear to indicate that Andrew forwarded reports from his official trips, which included visits to locations such as Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Singapore. One email from November 2010 was allegedly forwarded just minutes after it was received. Another email sent on December 24, 2010, reportedly contained a confidential briefing on investment opportunities associated with the reconstruction of Helmand Province in Afghanistan.
The Metropolitan Police has confirmed that it is reviewing allegations suggesting that London airports may have been involved in human trafficking and sexual exploitation linked to Epstein. As investigations continue, the increasing allegations regarding travel expenses and the sharing of sensitive information have intensified scrutiny concerning Andrew’s role as trade envoy and the broader misconduct inquiry currently underway.
