The Duke of York, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has faced a significant personal restriction after voluntarily surrendering his licence for firearms.
Police Intervention at Royal Lodge
Specialist firearms licensing officers from the Metropolitan Police attended the former royal's home, Royal Lodge in Windsor, Berkshire, on Wednesday, November 19. Following discussions, the 65-year-old, an avid participant in shooting parties, agreed to give up his certificate. A police spokesperson confirmed the surrender, stating they would not comment further at this stage.
While it is understood that police did not seize any guns from the property, they imposed strict new conditions on their storage and access. A key restriction reported is that Andrew can now only use or transport his shotguns if he is accompanied. This development is seen as a substantial blow to the Duke, who is a known shooting enthusiast.
Broader Context and Fallout
The reasons behind the police's review of his licence remain officially unclear. However, it comes amidst a period of intense scrutiny and personal upheaval for the King's brother. In October, King Charles stripped Andrew of his royal patronages and military titles.
Furthermore, the monarch has evicted Andrew from Royal Lodge, with the Duke set to relocate next year to a property on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. This follows years of allegations linking Andrew to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which he has consistently denied.
Ongoing Legal and Public Scrutiny
The situation remains in the public eye, particularly after the U.S. Department of Justice released additional files on Friday, December 19, as part of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Andrew has for years faced allegations of sexual assault from Virginia Giuffre, which he denies. In 2022, he settled a civil claim with her out of court for a reported multi-million pound sum without admission of liability.
The surrender of his firearms certificate represents another concrete consequence of the ongoing controversies surrounding the Duke, marking a further step in his removal from the privileges of his former royal life.
