Former prince Andrew Mountbatten Windsor may soon seek refuge in a luxurious villa in Abu Dhabi as scrutiny intensifies surrounding his involvement in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. The villa, valued at approximately £10 million, is situated within a fortified complex owned by the UAE royal family. This opulent residence, offered by Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nayhan, his former schoolmate from Gordonstoun School, could provide a haven for the 65-year-old Andrew.
Reports indicate that following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Sheik Mohamed has ordered the refurbishment of a private villa within the complex, known as the Sea Palace. This lavish property is near the Emirati Navy headquarters, which could pose issues for Andrew after King Charles recently stripped him of his honorary rank of vice-admiral in the Royal Navy.
According to the Mail on Sunday, the newly renovated villa will feature six bedrooms, a home cinema, an indoor plunge pool, and a gym, all designed with what the publication describes as a “youthful and playful” interior. The complex is adorned with gold fixtures and staffed kitchens, offering an extravagant lifestyle that could be appealing for someone under intense public scrutiny.
Andrew Lownie, author of Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, remarked that the Abu Dhabi location would be “perfect” for Andrew, stating, “He would be happy living somewhere where the media is muzzled, where he will still be treated as a senior royal and where he can easily live under the radar.” This sentiment underscores the former prince’s desire for privacy amid ongoing controversies.
The recent actions taken by King Charles have dramatically altered Andrew’s status. On Thursday, the King announced the removal of Andrew’s peerages and the title of prince, a decision directly connected to the fallout from the Epstein scandal. Andrew’s title as Duke of York has already been expunged from the Roll of Peerages. This move follows allegations that Andrew refused to endorse statements supporting Epstein’s abuse survivors, causing further rifts within the royal family.
In a public statement, King Charles and the Queen expressed their “thoughts and utmost sympathies” with the victims and survivors of abuse. A source close to the King disclosed to the Sunday Times that references to victims had been omitted from previous official communications since Andrew’s controversial 2019 interview with Newsnight, which necessitated Andrew’s approval.
Andrew denies allegations of sexual assault made by Virginia Giuffre, who claims the incidents occurred on three occasions when she was 17, after being trafficked by Epstein. The King’s recent statement regarding the removal of titles has been characterized as a definitive action, marking a shift away from collaborative decision-making within the royal family.
In addition to these royal developments, Andrew faces mounting pressure to provide testimony before the House Oversight Committee in the United States. Members of the committee have called upon the former prince to disclose what he knew regarding Epstein’s actions, adding another layer of complexity to his already precarious situation.
As Andrew contemplates a potential move to his new villa in Abu Dhabi, the implications of his past continue to cast a long shadow over his present and future.
