Prince Andrew
Despite Epstein scandal, he retains police protection
Prince Andrew will continue to receive 24-hour police protection.
© imago/Hubert Jelinek
Good news for Prince Andrew: The Queen’s son involved in the Epstein scandal will continue to receive police protection.
Prince Andrew (62) will not have to worry about his safety in the future either. After Queen Elizabeth II (96) stripped her son of all royal patronage and military titles earlier this year following abuse allegations against him, a full review of his security arrangements was launched and carried out. The result: Andrew keeps his state-funded bodyguards.
According to “Daily Mail” is estimated to cost Andrew’s security between £2m and £3m a year. This includes the cost of flights, wages, perks and housing for the security guards who keep a 24-hour watch on Andrew. This sum is financed by the British taxpayer. Exact cost details have not yet been announced by Buckingham Palace or the police.
Andrew and the Epstein Scandal
Reviews of Andrew’s security have been launched after Buckingham Palace announced in January that it would no longer refer to Andrew as “His Royal Highness”. In addition, his official duties and patronage were transferred to other members of the royal family, and his honorary military titles were also revoked.
The measures came after Andrew became implicated in the abuse scandal surrounding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein (1953-2019). In February, Andrew settled Virginia Giuffre’s abuse lawsuit out of court in a US court. Andrew, who is said to have paid millions to Giuffre, has always denied the allegations against him.
Just a few days after a failed interview with the “BBC” about his connections to Epstein in November 2019, he resigned from his public offices.