Prince Andrew: A Royal Reckoning

Entitled to a Fall: How a New Book Exposes the Secrets of Prince Andrew

A recent biographical account offers startling new details about Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, and Sarah Ferguson, his former wife. Penned by Andrew Lownie, a historian, the book is titled Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York. It explores the prince’s questionable connection to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier from the US. The work also looks into the duke's bewildering finances and personal relationships. A request for comment was made to Prince Andrew's representatives regarding the book's claims. Excerpts that appeared in the Daily Mail laid out a series of explosive assertions, presenting a severe picture of the prince's judgment and behaviour. While some observers have dismissed the book as mere gossip, Lownie asserts his research is meticulous, drawing on hundreds of interviews. The central thesis, as presented, is the Yorks' exploitation of their royal standing for financial gain and the consequent harm to the monarchy.

An Alliance Forged in Shadow

The biography puts forth a direct challenge to the official timeline Prince Andrew has given for his association with Jeffrey Epstein. While the prince has claimed he initially encountered the financier in 1999, Lownie's research points to a significantly earlier start to their acquaintance. The book alleges that both the prince and Sarah, his former wife, had been acquainted with Epstein for nearly ten years at that stage. Such an extended timeline indicates a more profound, established connection than the Palace previously acknowledged. It reframes their bond from a chance meeting to a long-term association. This vital point alters the understanding of all future dealings between the two men.

The Prince as a 'Useful Idiot'

Lownie suggests Prince Andrew was vulnerable to a predator such as Epstein. The book declares Epstein masterfully manipulated the prince. It posits Andrew became an unwitting pawn for the financier. This association purportedly gave Epstein an invaluable air of legitimacy. It also afforded him entry to international political circles and profitable business ventures. The author argues Epstein considered the prince easy to take advantage of for personal benefit. This account indicates a power imbalance heavily tilted in Epstein's direction, with the prince acting as a conduit to influential spheres.

The 'Super Bowl Trophy'

The biography presents a blunt evaluation from Steven Hoffenberg, a US businessman with a fraud conviction. Hoffenberg, identified as a past mentor to Jeffrey Epstein, supposedly gave a frank opinion of Prince Andrew's significance. He reportedly described the prince as his "Super Bowl trophy." This remark captures the sentiment that Andrew was less a friend and more a status symbol. It implies Epstein saw the prince as the crowning achievement of his climb into high society. The quote suggests a cynical and exploitative mindset on the financier's part.

Secrets for Sale

A grave allegation in the book is that damaging information regarding Prince Andrew might have been used as leverage by Jeffrey Epstein. As the book alleges, this information was possibly shared with various foreign intelligence organisations. The named bodies include Mossad in Israel, Saudi Arabian state officials, and even the Libyan intelligence services under Muammar Gaddafi. This indicates Epstein may have viewed secrets as a tradable asset. The idea that a senior British royal's private details could be held by other nations creates significant national security concerns. The biography sources these assertions from a film by Ian Halperin, a Canadian journalist.

Whispers from Andrew's Circle

Lownie writes that the assertions about Epstein sharing intelligence with foreign agents were corroborated for Ian Halperin by many sources. These individuals were allegedly part of Prince Andrew's own social network. If true, this detail would mean that a considerable number of people near the prince knew about the perilous nature of his ties to Epstein. Allegations from several of Epstein's victims claim the financier held onto video tapes of influential associates, but no solid evidence has ever been released to the public. The assertion that Epstein bragged about his plans to give Andrew's secrets to Mossad, a claim which first appeared in the US Sun, came from Steven Hoffenberg.

The Russian Connection

The biography also delves into the chance that sensitive details about Prince Andrew might have reached Russian possession. Lownie considers the anxieties within British intelligence, which The Sunday Times first revealed, concerning a man named John Mark Dougan. A former sheriff's deputy in Palm Beach County, Dougan escaped the United States and went to Russia. He purportedly took duplicates of material from the inquiry into Epstein. The book points out Dougan was in contact with Pavel Borodin, a figure described as a mentor to Vladimir Putin.

A Propagandist's Claims

The credibility of John Mark Dougan is a crucial element of these assertions. Residing now in Moscow, he is largely seen as a propagandist acting for the Russian state. Dougan has insisted for years he has tapes connected to the Epstein affair. He has never, however, shown any videos to back up these statements. When questioned on the files, Lownie notes that Dougan mentioned numerous videos but claimed he did not view them. The BBC has previously connected Dougan, who has prior service in the U.S. Marines, to the circulation of multiple disinformation narratives that came from Russia, which throws his claims into question.

Image Credit - ROSL

A Royal Rift

Lownie's work describes notable friction between Prince Andrew and his nephew, Prince Harry. It claims that a fierce exchange during a family get-together in 2013 escalated severely. The book alleges an altercation where Prince Harry delivered a "bloody nose" to his uncle. Prince Harry has strongly refuted this account of a physical clash. A different allegation suggests Andrew made scornful remarks to Harry, speculating on the length of his marriage to Meghan Markle. This, too, has been officially refuted. A representative for the Sussexes verified that legal counsel had dispatched correspondence to the Daily Mail about these narratives.

Forceful Denials

The spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex delivered a resolute and clear statement. The representative affirmed that the two princes have never come to physical blows. The statement also unequivocally refuted that the alleged remarks concerning the Duchess of Sussex were ever made by Prince Andrew to her husband. The prompt and legal action from the Sussexes underscores the gravity with which they regard these specific assertions. It distinguishes their response from the more general one from Andrew's camp, introducing another facet to the tangled family relationships.

The Bullying Allegations

The biography suggests an alternative source of family strife. Following the 2021 allegations that Meghan Markle bullied employees, a claim she refutes, Lownie asserts that Buckingham Palace braced itself for legacy grievances concerning Prince Andrew's own behaviour. The allegations against the prince encompassed bullying, habitual use of swear words, and making unreasonable demands on his household. It is suggested the findings from an inquiry into the allegations against Meghan remain unpublished. The reason, some allege, is that their release could prompt uncomfortable questions regarding the conduct of the late queen's second son.

A Tyrannical Demeanour

The book offers many stories of Prince Andrew's supposed bullying of his employees. One of the most serious allegations involves the prince insulting a palace worker with a profane slur. The employee's error was apparently not addressing Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother by her complete and official title. This event, if it happened, depicts a volatile nature and a fixation on strict etiquette. Paul Page, a former royal protection officer, has also stated in public that he lodged three distinct complaints regarding Andrew's conduct. Page asserts he knew of at least twelve other complaints from co-workers that appeared to be disregarded.

An Obsession with Order

Other claims describe a man with extremely specific and frequently strange requirements. A one-time maid described how Prince Andrew's bed was adorned with a collection of fifty to sixty plush toys. The domestic staff were reportedly given a laminated guide to guarantee that each toy was put back in its exact spot every day. Not following this guide could allegedly trigger a tantrum from the prince. A separate anecdote claims a staff member was let go because the prince did not like a mole on their face. Another worker was supposedly let go for the offence of wearing a tie made of nylon.

The Royal Lodge Riddle

Lownie's book closely examines Prince Andrew's unstable financial state. With no clear income source apart from a pension from his Royal Navy service and family allowances, many questions persist. It remains a mystery how the prince covers the maintenance for his 30-room residence, Royal Lodge. He is said to have invested £7.5 million in the property's renovation. Its yearly maintenance is estimated at roughly £250,000. The biography calls into question the viability of this lifestyle, highlighting the financial strain that has grown since his withdrawal from public duties. The previous monarch and the current King Charles are named as his main financial supporters.

A King's Frustration

The financial puzzle of Royal Lodge has become a source of major friction with King Charles. The King has reportedly attempted to persuade his younger sibling to move into the more modest Frogmore Cottage. Charles has also stopped funding Andrew's private security detail, a cost believed to be nearly £4 million each year. Reports indicate the King is "frustrated" with Andrew's unwillingness to relocate and the secrecy around how he is affording the vast upkeep of the property. This impasse shows the tough spot the monarch is in, trying to weigh family obligations against the need to safeguard the institution's image.

A Pyrrhic Victory

For the moment, Prince Andrew seems to have prevailed in the dispute over his residence. The Duke of York has a legally binding 75-year lease on Royal Lodge, an agreement he made with the Crown Estate in 2003. This contract makes it legally difficult to force him out. Current reports indicate the King has abandoned his efforts to oust his brother. Royal experts, however, call this a "pyrrhic win." Though Andrew may stay in the home, he is now exclusively liable for its costly multi-million-pound annual maintenance. The public examination of his financial affairs is poised to become even more intense.

The Mysterious Benefactor

The origin of Prince Andrew's recent financial security is a well-kept secret. It is believed the prince successfully obtained the money needed for the repairs at Royal Lodge, thereby fulfilling his lease obligations. According to The Sunday Times, the Keeper of the Privy Purse sanctioned these monies as coming from "legitimate sources." The benefactor's identity, however, has not been revealed. This lack of transparency feeds ongoing speculation and is reportedly a source of great irritation for King Charles, who desires to uphold transparency in all financial dealings of the royals.

The £750,000 Payment

The biography looks again at a very murky financial deal concerning Nebahat Isbilen, a wealthy Turkish national. High Court documents from 2022 showed that £750,000 from Isbilen was placed into Prince Andrew's personal Coutts bank account. The transfer was arranged by Selman Turk, her banker. At that time, the prince's office explained the sum was a wedding present for his daughter, Beatrice. The situation detailed in the court proceedings, however, was much more complex. The court was told Mrs Isbilen had been the target of a major fraud.

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A Passport and a Prince

Court records from a legal action involving Selman Turk, her banker, and Isbilen offered more details. Isbilen contended that Turk had deceived her. She testified that Turk claimed the £750,000 payment to Prince Andrew was required for his help with her Turkish passport. Isbilen was trying to transfer her wealth from Turkey after her husband was imprisoned for political reasons. The court filings called the passport story a fabrication. They asserted Turk made the statement with dishonest intent, aware it was untrue. There has been no insinuation of any misdeeds on the part of the prince.

Settlements and Repayments

The High Court proceedings made the payment public and put Prince Andrew in a very awkward spot. After these details emerged, the duke returned the entire £750,000 to Mrs Isbilen. More recently, in November 2023, a judge was notified that a confidential settlement was agreed. The parties to this agreement were Mrs Isbilen, Prince Andrew, and Sarah Ferguson, his former wife, who was also included in the legal action related to Mr Turk. The repayment and settlement brought this awkward episode to a close, but doubts about the prince's judgment linger.

Questionable Associations

The book investigates various other associations that have drawn criticism over time. Lownie describes a trip to Tunisia alongside Tarek Kaituni. Kaituni is a gun-runner from Libya with a past conviction. This connection by itself would be a matter of concern for a high-ranking royal. Additionally, it is also reported Kaituni gifted Princess Beatrice an extravagant present for her twenty-first birthday. The gift was supposedly a diamond solitaire with a value of £18,000. This suggests a habit of receiving gifts from contentious international personalities.

A Controversial Private Life

Finally, the biography presents several sensational stories regarding Prince Andrew's private activities and purported conduct out of the public eye. The book offers tales of a purported coarse comedic style and an exacting personality. One of the most startling claims concerns a royal tour. It is alleged that throughout a visit to Bangkok, upwards of forty women were escorted to the prince's hotel suite. The author notes that although the hotel's staff were familiar with international visitors having female company, they were astonished that over ten separate women daily were visiting Andrew's suite.