Prince Andrew is reportedly no longer using his personalised Duke of York plates on his cars, following the latest updates in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. The disgraced royal recently relinquished all his titles and honours in a bid to avoid having his personal affairs “distract” the public from the work of the Royal Family.
Andrew’s links to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein have come back into the spotlight after new emails of his and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson’s, emerged showing they kept contact with the late financier after they had declared they stopped. Nearly two weeks ago, ahead of Andrew’s abuse accuser, Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir release, the royal released a bombshell statement saying he would no longer be using his titles and honours, including his Duke of York title. Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing.
Now, reports claimed Andrew has even stopped using his personalised registration plates for his vehicles, in what is considered to be yet another blow to him as he’s further dragged into the Epstein row.
According to the Mirror, Andrew, who last year sold his £50,000 Range Rover and replaced it with a £115,000 new, automatic one, has not transferred the registration plates AY02 DOY and AY03 DOY to his new vehicle.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) records show that the plates are not registered with any vehicle.
Andrew’s new Range Rover, with registration plate KN74 EFK, is still in use. The prince also used to have another personalised number plate, AY03 DOY, which was used with his green £220,000 Bentley.
However, details for that plate also show up as “could not be found” on the DVLA. The Daily Express double-checked and could not find either of Andrew’s DOY plates in the system.
The monarchy is under increasing pressure to resolve Andrew’s issue, and some MPs are eager to debate the topic.
The King’s brother is said to be in talks with Charles’s representatives about leaving Royal Lodge voluntarily after the furore over the “peppercorn” rent for the 30-room mansion, where he has lived for more than 20 years.
The King has long been said to have tried to encourage his younger brother, who lives in Royal Lodge with Sarah, to move out.
Charles reportedly first offered Frogmore Cottage to Andrew in January 2023 after Harry and Meghan moved out, but the former duke turned it down.
The Sun reported that workmen had been seen at the property in recent weeks ahead of the prince’s potential arrival.