Guernsey has been suggested as an outpost where Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor could spend some of his time now he’s been downgraded to a commoner.
The 65-year-old formerly known as Prince Andrew has had all of his Royal titles removed following constant revelations over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The former Duke of York has also faced scrutiny over his questionable relationships in the business and diplomatic worlds including allegations he was involved with a Chinese spy.
His friendship with at least one Guernsey resident has hit the headlines in the past too.
Now he has agreed to surrender the lease on his home at Royal Lodge on the Windsor Estate, the second eldest son of the late Queen Elizabeth II is said to be moving to a smaller home on one of the Royal Family’s privately owned estates.
Royal Biographer Andrew Morton told Sky News that Mr Mountbatten Windsor may also look to live elsewhere.
“I firmly predict that Andrew will have his cottage in Sandringham provided by the King, but also places in Abu Dhabi, Switzerland, Guernsey… all these places where people who have been ousted from their own countries go to live,” said Mr Morton.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor already has links to Guernsey which he could potentially utilise if he were to spend time in the island.
He has made both official and unofficial visits to Guernsey and Alderney – where he performed duties on behalf of his mother, the late Queen. Those visits saw him visit Le Rondin School and the Sixth Form Centre in Guernsey and the Alderney Maritime Trust.
His first known visit to the Bailiwick came in July 1984 when the then Prince Andrew made a surprise visit to Guernsey while serving on board HMS Brazen. He is recorded as having spent an informal day in the island, including having lunch at Beaucette Marina before touring the island in a hire car.
In July 2005, when styled as HRH The Duke of York, Mr Mountbatten-Windsor made an overnight visit to Guernsey.
Accompanied by his Private Secretary and Personal Protection Officer he arrived
at Guernsey airport by helicopter before making a brief visit to Government House.
He then attended a private reception in aid of Outward Bound at Havilland Hall, where he stayed overnight. The following day, he visited Candie Museum, Le Rondin School, and the new Sixth Form Centre.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s friendship with David Rowland, the owner of Havilland Hall, may be why Mr Morton included Guernsey in his list of possible future residences.
Mr Rowland’s links with the former Prince have been the subject of numerous news reports in the past with The Daily Mail among those previously reporting that he, like Epstein, had helped the Duchess of York out financially.
While styled as Prince Andrew, Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was also involved with the takeover of an Icelandic bank, which Mr Rowland renamed Banquette’s Havilland. The Daily Mail reported at the time, that Andrew had said: “In the past I have had the pleasure to meet and work with the Rowland family in the framework of my functions and I wish the family every success in this new business venture”.
It was also previously reported in the Sunday Times that Andrew had passed ‘government documents’ to Mr Rowland, having accompanied him on a ‘string of trade missions while he was working as a trade envoy for the UK’.
David Rowland, the son of a scrap dealer who made his fortune in property, has owned Havilland Hall for many years. He has previously been reported to have a net worth above £600million, according to a past edition of The Sunday Times rich list.
Wikipedia previously described the Rowland family as ‘an investment adviser’ to the Queen’s second eldest son.
Wikipedia also lists another Guernsey resident as a paid ‘Business Advisor’ to the former Duke of York.
Lord Digby Jones lives in Guernsey and acts as a political commentator through his role as Chairman of GPEG.
The businessman was paid £1000 a month, for one days work per month, to act as the former Prince Andrew’s Business Adviser between 2006 and 2007, according to Wikipedia.
Lord Jones was the UK’s Minister of State for Trade from 2007 to 2008. This coincided with the time that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was acting as the UK’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment between 2001 to 2011.
The former Prince had to resign from his role amid mounting scrutiny over his business dealings, personal expenses, and associations with figures including Epstein.