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Amid a wide-ranging investigation into Prince Andrew's links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, new allegations have emerged that the former prince improperly used British taxpayer funds for personal expenses while serving as the UK's trade envoy. The BBC has reported the allegations, citing former civil servants who worked in the economy and trade departments in London.
According to former officials, the reimbursement requests included expenses for personal massages, high-cost flights, luxury accommodations and payments to an unspecified entourage of fellow travelers, sometimes saying it was unclear who these people were. One former employee said he had refused to approve payment for a massage for Andrew during a visit to the Middle East, but was overruled by his superiors and the taxpayer-owned company paid him despite objections.
"I was shocked, it was like it wasn't someone else's money. We were paying for expenses that seemed illogical," said another source, claiming he had "absolutely no doubt" about the veracity of the claims of excessive spending.
Government documents and historical reports show that Andrew did not receive a salary for his role as trade envoy, but his expenses, including international travel, were covered by government budgets, often earning him the nickname "Air Miles Andy" for his frequent trips and the luxuries of so-called official missions.
These financial claims come as Prince Andrew was formally arrested by British police on February 19, 2026, on suspicion of misconduct in office while serving as a public official, in an investigation closely linked to documents released in the United States from the Epstein files. He was released under investigation and has not been formally charged with financial crimes, but the investigation continues.
The investigation also includes documents suggesting that Andrew may have shared confidential information with Epstein about official trips to Asia during 2010, raising concerns that he breached his duty of confidentiality to the British government.
Andrew has denied any wrongdoing. However, his scandal has developed into a wider political and public problem: after a 2019 BBC interview that rocked his reputation, he gave up the use of the title prince and stepped back from public duties, while critics and politicians have called for wider investigations into the finances and accountability of state officials.
Allegations of unjustified expenses and deepening investigations into his relationship with Epstein have increased pressure on British institutions and heightened debates in parliament about financial transparency and public accountability, particularly for figures who represent the United Kingdom on the international stage.
At this stage, it is claimed that Andrew's expenses under review involve thousands of pounds, but there is no confirmed accusation of misuse of public funds, only investigations and allegations from former officials who worked under him.
In response, the UK Department for Business and Trade has avoided a direct response to the expense allegations, citing the ongoing police investigation.
This story continues to develop as various institutions in Britain and abroad seek additional clarification on the activities of Andrew and his relatives over the past few decades.
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