Andrew Lownie, a historian and biographer, has spent years delving into the tumultuous life of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson. His extensive research involved interviews with over 300 individuals close to the couple and accessing sensitive files from the National Archives. Last week, a significant royal announcement was made: King Charles stripped his brother, Andrew, of his royal titles, including the title of prince, and ordered him to vacate his residence at Royal Lodge.
Lownie’s unauthorized biography, Entitled, which chronicles the rise and fall of Andrew and Sarah, was released shortly before Andrew’s dramatic fall from grace. The book is expected to become a bestseller, providing more current information than Nigel Cawthorne’s 2020 book, Prince Andrew: Epstein, Maxwell and the Palace. Lownie predicts, “I think there’s lots more still to come, lots more, and it will be even more damaging material,” regarding the ongoing revelations about the former prince, now known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.
The Scandalous Life of Prince Andrew
Andrew Lownie, who has a history of writing about royal scandals, sees Entitled as a natural progression from his previous work on the Duke of Windsor. The book paints a picture of a life marred by “childhood trauma, infidelity, lust, betrayal, corruption, greed, extravagance, arrogance, entitlement, Establishment cover-up and hubris.”
For over two decades, Prince Andrew’s reckless and corrupt behavior has been public knowledge. His former wife, Sarah Ferguson, known as Fergie, shared a similar reputation. Their downfall was significantly accelerated by their association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Lownie writes that Andrew, infamously nicknamed “Randy Andy,” shared young women with Epstein. In 2019, Andrew resigned from royal duties after a disastrous BBC Newsnight interview, where he denied meeting Virginia Giuffre, an Epstein victim who accused him of sexual misconduct.
“Randy Andy was not only close to Epstein, but apparently shared young women with him.”
Financial Misconduct and Dubious Deals
Andrew’s financial dealings have been equally controversial. Following a career in the British Navy, he took on a role promoting British trade and investment abroad. However, he blurred the lines between royal duty and personal gain, associating with questionable regimes in Libya, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan for financial benefit.
His extravagant lifestyle, including demanding helicopter flights for private golf games, raised concerns. Despite earning substantial sums, his financial management remains a mystery, especially as King Charles continues to provide him with an income.
Sarah Ferguson’s Extravagance
Sarah Ferguson’s spending habits have also drawn criticism. Known for her lavish lifestyle, she has earned millions through children’s books, television appearances, and her work with Weight Watchers. However, her charitable endeavors often seemed to benefit her more than the causes they supported.
“The amount of money Sarah has earned and spent is literally staggering.”
Comparisons to the Trump Family
The Mountbatten Windsor family, now stripped of their royal titles, bears striking similarities to the Trump family. Donald Trump recently commented on King Charles’ decision, expressing sympathy for Andrew. The couple’s first home, Sunninghill, resembled a Trump-like construction, complete with extravagant features.
Their daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, have also benefited from Andrew’s connections in the Middle East, raising questions about the family’s ethics and values.
The Future of the British Monarchy
Lownie concludes his book by highlighting the damage Andrew’s actions have inflicted on the British monarchy. However, King Charles’ decisive actions to distance Andrew from “the firm” may have preserved the monarchy’s future. Charles has demonstrated his effectiveness as a constitutional monarch, gaining political respect internationally.
While Andrew’s future remains uncertain, with potential exile to places like Dubai or Abu Dhabi, the monarchy’s survival seems likely. Despite the scandals, constitutional monarchies like those in Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands continue to thrive, suggesting that Britain’s monarchy will endure, albeit under scrutiny.
“In the end, Britain’s monarchy will survive because its political leaders are trusted even less than its hapless royals.”
