Former Royal Aide Ready to Assist Police in Andrew Misconduct Probe
Charlotte Manley, who served as Prince Andrew's private secretary and treasurer, has stated she would be willing to speak to police officers investigating the former royal for suspected misconduct in public office. The 68-year-old former Navy officer worked closely with Andrew during his tenure as the UK's special representative for trade and investment.
Decades of Service and Limited Disclosure
Manley served as Andrew's private secretary and treasurer for two years following his 2001 appointment to the trade role, having previously worked as his assistant for five years. She accompanied him on numerous overseas business trips, including visits to New York. However, she insisted this week that she "wouldn't have much to tell officers" about her time serving the ex-royal.
"I would rather talk to the police than the press," Manley reportedly told journalists at her Wiltshire home. "Not that I would have much to tell them."
Buckingham Palace Massage Payment Revealed
It has emerged that Ms Manley signed a cheque worth £75 in June 2000 to pay a South African masseuse to attend Andrew's rooms in Buckingham Palace. The visit was organized by Jeffrey Epstein's girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, who reportedly told masseuse Monique Giannelloni that she would introduce her to "someone more famous than God."
Weeks later, that person was revealed to be Andrew, whom Ms Giannelloni met at the palace. "I got to the room and Andrew was stood there in a robe," she told the Daily Mail in 2019. "After saying 'hello', he disappeared to the bathroom and came back in the nude. I averted my eyes and I was quite embarrassed."
Despite this initial awkwardness, Giannelloni insisted that Andrew was otherwise "very nice and gentlemanly" during the encounter.
New Epstein Photos Released
The US Department of Justice has released two photographs showing a man resembling Andrew snuggled up with young women at Epstein's New York home. One blurry, low-quality image displays the male seated with a woman on his lap, while another shows the man appearing to crack a smile with a woman leaning over his shoulders.
The women's faces are redacted in both photographs, and it remains unconfirmed whether the man is indeed Andrew, who vehemently denies any wrongdoing. These images are among 180,000 new pictures shared under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, released just weeks after the former prince's arrest.
Arrest and International Pressure
Police took Andrew into custody from his cottage at Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate on his 66th birthday as part of the misconduct investigation. Having been evicted from the Royal Lodge over his Epstein links, he spent approximately 10 hours at Aylsham Police Station before being released shortly before 7pm.
The UK Government is reportedly considering legislation to remove Andrew from the line of succession amid the scandal that has already cost him his royal titles. This follows calls from multiple world leaders for his removal.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated: "I certainly think his actions are deplorable and have caused him to be stripped of his royal titles, certainly merit, if that's the word - necessitate is a better word - his removal from the line of succession."
In a February letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Andrew was facing "grave allegations," adding: "Australians take them seriously." A spokesperson for New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon confirmed: "If the UK Government proposes to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the order of succession, New Zealand would support it."
The UK Government has indicated any proposals would follow the conclusion of the police investigation.
Broader Investigations and Royal Tensions
Defence Secretary John Healey last month ordered a review of military files to determine whether Epstein used RAF bases to traffic girls into the UK. Officials were tasked with examining more than two decades of Ministry of Defence records and handing over to police any flight logs linked to the late financier.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown wrote to six police forces demanding investigations into whether Andrew used taxpayer-funded jets and RAF bases during his time as trade envoy to meet Epstein.
Royal Family Dynamics
A lip reader has claimed that Andrew issued a desperate plea to his nephew, Prince William, during their famously tense conversation at the Duchess of Kent's funeral last September. Forensic lip reader Nicola Hickling, featured in a new Channel 5 TV series, claimed the ex-Duke of York used the moment at Westminster Cathedral to ask for William's forgiveness.
The tense photographed moment occurred on the church steps after the service as they awaited their cars. Andrew apparently asked William, who was joined by his wife Kate: "I've learnt from what I've done but before I forget, and if I can, I'd like to ask you if you can forgive?"
The funeral represented one of Andrew and Sarah Ferguson's last official public appearances for the Royal Family before the Epstein scandal fully erupted. King Charles released a statement following his brother's arrest, saying that "the law must take its course," while expressing deep concern and reassurance of full cooperation with authorities.
