Prince Andrew is facing renewed pressure to hand over his passport after being branded a “flight risk” amid fresh scrutiny of his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The remarks come from royal biographer Andrew Lownie, whose book Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York have been at the centre of the debate.
Lownie’s comments follow the latest release of emails from Epstein’s estate, currently under review by the US House Oversight Committee, with lawmakers calling for a wider reckoning over Andrew’s dealings.
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Speaking to The Mirror, Lownie said the latest revelations “are the nail in the coffin” for the disgraced royal, adding that the disclosures “highlight the lies he has told about his association with Jeffrey Epstein”.
He added that “much more is still to emerge” and argued that given the growing evidence, Andrew “needs to be investigated” and treated as a flight risk. “His passport should be surrendered,” he said.
‘Could flee like King Juan Carlos’
Lownie also suggested there is a real possibility Andrew could follow the path of ex-Spanish monarch King Juan Carlos, who relocated to the Middle East during his own legal troubles. “That would certainly suit the Royal Family,” Lownie claimed, adding that authorities should act decisively if they intend to pursue any potential charges.
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police has begun examining phone records, emails and notebooks belonging to Andrew’s former Personal Protection Officers. This comes after reports that Andrew allegedly instructed his security team in 2011 to gather “dirt” on Virginia Giuffre, the woman who accused him of sexual abuse.
According to The Sun, at least two former officers have already been questioned as the Met evaluates whether the allegations warrant a fresh, full-scale investigation.
The force earlier said that “following recent media reporting on the actions of officers in relation to this matter, we are considering whether any further assessment or review is necessary”.
Andrew, who has already lost his royal roles and official residence, is now confronting some of the most serious scrutiny since he stepped back from public life in 2019.
