Andrew Mountbatten Windsor reportedly challenged his removal from the Royal Lodge by saying “I’m the Queen’s son, you can’t do this to me”, a royal insider has claimed.
The former prince was ordered to leave his 30-room Windsor mansion last October by King Charles, with the eviction carried out earlier this month, amid renewed scrutiny of Andrew’s links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
He moved to Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, in what The Sun previously described as a “sudden” relocation that took place in the middle of the night.
A royal insider has now claimed that Andrew “refused to leave or take any responsibility” for his eviction and allegedly used “I’m the Queen’s son” as his defence.
A royal insider told The Sun on Sunday: “He refused to leave or take any responsibility.
“When he was told to get out he was so arrogant and deluded he repeatedly shouted, ‘But I’m the Queen’s second son, you can’t do this to me’.
“It is extraordinary he chose to use the Queen’s name in his defence. No one is quite sure if the reality of his dire situation has hit home even yet.”
Another insider reportedly told the newspaper that Andrew made it clear he “did not want to leave”.
Andrew was arrested on Thursday, his 66th birthday, on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
His arrest follows an assessment by police of a complaint relating to Andrew’s alleged sharing of sensitive information with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Six vehicles, reportedly unmarked police cars, and eight plainclothes officers were seen arriving at Wood Farm on Thursday morning.
Thames Valley Police say they have “opened an investigation” into an allegation of misconduct in public office, including claims Andrew shared sensitive information with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein while serving as the UK's trade envoy.
According to The Sun, a South London lock-up could become a focus of the police inquiry, after some of his Royal Lodge possessions were moved there for storage last month.
The unit, which reportedly may also contain Andrew’s collection of teddy bears, is monitored 24/7 by guards and CCTV.
The former prince’s arrest came after the latest tranche of files relating to late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein were released by the US Department of Justice.
Both Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson appear in multiple correspondence in the files.
Andrew has consistently and strongly denied any wrongdoing.
