Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Believes Public Backlash Is 'Deeply Unfair'
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was known as Prince Andrew until late last year, was arrested last month, marking the first time in almost 400 years that a member of the British royal family has been detained. The 66-year-old former Duke of York was released pending further investigation after 11 hours of questioning at Aylsham Police Station in Norfolk, but the incident has intensified scrutiny amid the latest release of Epstein files.
Royal Expert Reveals Andrew's Perspective
According to royal expert Andrew Lownie, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor feels it is deeply unfair that people have turned on him. Lownie stated that Andrew, who denies any wrongdoing, still "thinks he's anointed" and is upset with the shift in public opinion. "He has been pampered all the way through his life, in this bubble. Status is everything to him — it's his only sense of identity," Lownie explained. "They thought they'd be able to operate like this under the radar. They're clearly up to their necks in exploiting their royal status."
Impact on Family and Property Moves
The arrest has created challenges for Andrew's family, particularly his daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Lownie noted that they are "caught between a rock and a hard place over loyalty to their parents and their future." Meanwhile, Andrew is said to have requested to end his lease on the East Lodge, a £13,000-a-year Grade II-listed cottage rental near Sunninghill Park in Berkshire. This property is the second within the Crown Estate to be given up by the King's brother after he vacated Royal Lodge in late 2025.
Further Criticism and Personal Reactions
Speaking to The Guardian, Lownie highlighted Andrew's apparent lack of awareness regarding the severity of the situation. "Andrew still can't see what the problem is. He thinks he's been hard done by," Lownie said. "He's obsessed with other details — whether he can take his horses up to Norfolk, who's going to get the dogs, and where he's going to park his car." Additionally, Princess Diana's former bodyguard, SAS-trained Scotland Yard inspector Ken Wharfe, branded Andrew as "one of the most arrogant individuals" he has ever met, based on professional dealings with him.
The arrest has sparked widespread media attention and public debate, with Andrew's perceived entitlement and use of royal status coming under fire. As investigations continue, the fallout from this historic event is likely to persist, affecting both Andrew's personal life and the broader royal family's reputation.
