Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince Andrew, has suffered a significant personal blow after voluntarily surrendering his gun licence following a visit by specialist police officers to his home.
Police Visit Leads to Surrender of Certificate
Firearms licensing officers from the Metropolitan Police attended Royal Lodge in Windsor, Berkshire, on Wednesday, November 19. It is understood the 65-year-old, through an aide, agreed to give up his firearms and shotgun certificate after discussions with the officers. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed the surrender, stating they would not comment further.
The development is seen as a major setback for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who has been a regular participant in elite shooting parties at royal estates including Windsor, Sandringham, and Balmoral. A source described it as "a real blow to him", noting he will now be under strict supervision regarding any use or transport of shotguns, requiring accompaniment.
Amid a Year of Royal Exile and Scandal
This action compounds a disastrous period for the Duke of York. It follows his eviction from Royal Lodge, ordered by King Charles III, with a move to a property on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk scheduled for next year. The King had already stripped his brother of his royal titles and military patronages in October.
The context of the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein scandal continues to loom large. Andrew has for years faced allegations, which he strenuously denies, of sexually assaulting Virginia Giuffre when she was a teenager. He paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault claim with her in 2022. The recent release of further files related to Epstein has kept the controversy in the public eye.
A Lonely Christmas Ahead
Adding to his woes, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is believed to be facing a solitary festive season. Reports suggest his daughter, Princess Beatrice, who is ninth in line to the throne, has opted to spend Christmas abroad rather than join her father and Sarah Ferguson for what would be their last Christmas at Royal Lodge before the eviction.
While police did not seize firearms from the property, they have placed strict conditions on their storage and access. Gun licences in the UK are subject to regular review, and authorities can act if there is a change in the holder's circumstances or public safety concerns.
This latest development, the loss of a privilege closely tied to his former lifestyle, underscores the dramatic fall from grace for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as a tumultuous year draws to a close.
