Andrew Mountbatten Windsor's Future
Andrew's eviction from Royal Lodge and exclusion from Christmas at Sandringham already suggest that his royal privileges are well and truly over. But things may soon go from bad to worse, with reports claiming that he is preparing to leave Britain altogether to avoid further scrutiny!
According to multiple reports, Andrew could be moving to the Middle East to escape mounting scrutiny over his long association with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein – and to avoid potential legal fallout, including a summons from the U.S. Congress. It's been claimed that a billionaire benefactor has even offered him a place to live in Abu Dhabi following renewed investigations.
"Andrew's made it clear to those around him that he won't face another public grilling in America," a source reportedly told RadarOnline. "He feels hounded, humiliated, and sees Abu Dhabi as the only place where he'll be left alone. People close to him are 100 percent certain he'll go."
Could Andrew Still Go To Jail?
While a move abroad might help Andrew escape the glare of public attention, it may not shield him from the law. According to reports, London police are currently investigating Andrew, and he could face jail time over alleged misconduct – including his ties to Epstein.
Authorities are also said to be looking into claims that he asked an officer back in 2011 to find personal information about Virginia Giuffre, who reportedly died by suicide aged 41 earlier this year. Giuffre's posthumous memoir Nobody's Girl claimed she was trafficked to have sex with Andrew on three separate occasions, although he has always denied the allegations.
According to RadarOnline, Andrew could very well be facing potential criminal charges, especially now that he no longer has his royal titles to protect him. "Andrew's in a very precarious position now. Without the protection his royal titles gave him, he's more wide open to legal action," an insider told the outlet.
"The Palace has clearly distanced itself, and he's been left to deal with the fallout over his links to Epstein alone," they continued, adding: "He is a sitting duck for law enforcement, and very vulnerable. He should be getting a top legal team in place now."
Another source added: "Andrew has never been this exposed – both legally and in the public eye. His title once gave him a degree of protection, but that safety net has vanished. If authorities in the U.S. or U.K. uncover new evidence, he'll be under huge pressure to answer for it just like anyone else."
Fergie Under Scrutiny Too
Ex-wife Sarah Ferguson isn't out of the woods either. As well as also giving up her Duchess of York title and being evicted from Royal Lodge, Fergie is reportedly under investigation for alleged misuse of charity funds. That means both Andrew and Fergie could be forced out of the U.K. altogether – and one royal historian believes things could get even worse…
"Andrew is going to be charged with various public offenses and misconduct in public office… he'll probably go to jail," historian Andrew Lownie, author of Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, reportedly told NewsNation's Paula Froelich.
"The case against him is pretty clear… he's toast," Lownie added, noting that any potential arrest may not be for the reasons people expect. "It won't be for sex trafficking – it will be for financial impropriety," he said, in reference to reports that Andrew overspent on his trips as a trade envoy and asked a protection officer to dig up dirt on Giuffre.