Ex-Prince Andrew Tried to Hold Onto His Royal Privileges Before His Royal Lodge Exit
Royal expert Barbara Davies claimed a key condition of Andrew's relocation to Sandringham was that he give up his murky business dealings.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's public fall from grace has brought considerable shame upon the royal family. In the aftermath of the exposure of his sketchy past, he was ordered to vacate Royal Lodge and relinquish his royal titles. However, Mountbatten-Windsor remained keen to hold on to his royal privileges and wished for a touch of royal treatment before he was banished from his residence. According to royal expert Barbara Davies, the former Prince was reluctant to give up his business dealings, but ended up in a position where there really was no choice but to relinquish them.
In an article for the Daily Mail, Davies wrote that one of the key negotiations in Mountbatten-Windsor's relocation was that he would have to give up his murky business dealings. According to her, Prince William was reportedly hell-bent that he give up his money-making schemes in exchange for living in the Sandringham estate. She penned, "Andrew's commercial enterprises have been largely conducted overseas, often out of sight of public scrutiny via dealings with wealthy, mainly foreign, businessmen. He is said to have resisted attempts by the King to get an oversight of his goings-on." As one royal insider put it, "He isn't short of cash, but I suspect we will never know where it came from."
Interestingly, it seems like the alleged pressure from the King and the Prince of Wales worked. Well, kind of, as Mountbatten-Windsor applied to close down one of his royal businesses in November. Pitch@Palace, founded by the former Prince in 2014 to connect start-ups with investors and industry leaders, was credited by him with helping create 3,000 jobs. As per HELLO!, in a document filed with Companies House and signed by Arthur Lancaster, the firm's sole director, the company applied to be 'struck off and dissolved.' Companies House listed former Prince Andrew of Royal Lodge, Windsor, as having 'significant influence or control' over the business.
While it's safe to assume that William does not have a particular liking toward his uncle, the latter was reportedly scared of the Prince of Wales during negotiations. Weighing in on their cold dynamic, Davies continued, "There is also the question of long-term funding and housing. It is assumed that the King will make Andrew a generous allowance, something that may not continue under King William, so Andrew wants guarantees." Reportedly, 'iron-clad' William is determined to punish the former Duke, as another source spilled, "He isn't prepared to sign on the dotted line just yet."
Unlike his 'iron-clad' son, King Charles is reportedly concerned about his embattled brother's mental state after losing his titles. Charles allegedly wishes someone would spend the Christmas season with Mountbatten-Windsor. Weighing in on the royal family's alleged Christmas 'conundrum', a source told The Sun, "No one wants to be seen with him [Andrew], and the family has pretty much given up on him." With regards to Mountbatten-Windsor's dwindling mental health, they continued, "But Andrew is depressed after losing his titles and being exiled from the Royal Family — so they don’t want to leave him on his own."
