URGENT UPDATE: Former royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been hit with significant restrictions on his firearms use following a police visit to his home in Windsor, Berkshire. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the 65-year-old voluntarily surrendered his firearms and shotgun certificate after officers conducted a review of his situation on November 19, 2023.
This development comes as Andrew, previously known as Prince Andrew, will now only be able to use or transport his shotguns if accompanied by another individual. While authorities did not seize any firearms from his residence, they imposed strict conditions on their storage and access, raising serious public safety concerns.
Andrew has been an avid shooter, frequently attending shooting parties. However, the police’s intervention signals a major shift in how his firearm privileges are managed. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police stated, “On November 19, firearms licensing officers attended an address in Windsor to request that a man in his 60s voluntarily surrender his firearms and shotgun certificate. The certificate was surrendered, and we will not be commenting any further at this stage.”
Reports indicate that Andrew had previously sent an associate to communicate with the police regarding their visit last month, highlighting the ongoing scrutiny surrounding his activities. These restrictions come on the heels of his brother, King Charles, stripping him of royal titles in October due to his association with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and allegations surrounding his conduct.
In recent years, Andrew has faced serious allegations of sexual assault from Virginia Giuffre, who claims she was trafficked by Epstein. Although Andrew has consistently denied these accusations, he reached a substantial settlement with Giuffre in 2022, further complicating his public image.
As part of the fallout from his past associations, Andrew is set to relocate next year to an outbuilding on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, having been evicted from the Royal Lodge. This latest police action underscores the shifting landscape of accountability for public figures, particularly in light of ongoing concerns about safety and propriety.
What’s Next: The public will be watching closely as Andrew navigates these new restrictions and transitions to his new residence. As discussions about his past continue to unfold, further developments are anticipated in both the legal and public domains.
Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story as authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.
