The dubious fortune of Prince Andrew: top-level, debts, and an unsustainable lifestyle

Prince Andrew, the brother of King Charles, is known for his love of top-level and money. Despite his ostentatious life and after the withdrawal of his millionaire annual pension and the Epstein scandal, he is living through difficult times.

His only fixed income is an annual pension of just 24,000 euros, insufficient to cover even two weeks of rent for the luxurious property where he lives.

An uncertain future after the Epstein scandal

Prince Andrew was involved in various scandals that severely affected his image. In 2021, his last attempt to generate income was thwarted. The prince had sought an opportunity as an international broker for a Dutch company, but this project fell apart after it was revealed that one of his partners, Yang Tengbo, had been identified as a spy for China. This revelation resulted in the failure of a project that seemed like his last hope for employment.

The maintenance of the Royal Lodge,his luxurious 30-room residence, has an annual cost of approximately 800,000 euros. Of that amount, more than 300,000 euros are allocated to the property's rent, which was signed at the beginning of the century and has a term of 75 years. The prince doesn't have the resources to cover these expenses, as his main income doesn't exceed 20,000 euros annually from his pension as a Royal Navy officer.

The luxurious lifestyle and controversies of royalty

Despite his dire financial situation, Andrew continued to lead a life of top-level. In 2021, he was seen at his father's funeral aboard a customized Bentley Flying Spur valued at over 265,000 euros. This car replaced a similar model he had bought in 2015 and sold for a fraction of its original price. He is also known for wearing high-value watches, such as a 190,000-euro Rolex, and for maintaining top-level properties, like chalets in Switzerland.

In 2007, he sold Sunninghill, his former residence where he lived with his wife Sarah Ferguson and which had been a gift from Queen Elizabeth, for 15 million pounds, a price considerably higher than originally asked. The buyer, Timur Kulibayev, a Kazakh oligarch, paid three million more than stipulated. This transaction raised suspicions due to the prince's connections with powerful figures and his involvement in questionable business activities.

Andrew's relationship with money isn't limited to his properties and vehicles. In 2017, a loan of more than two million euros was covered by his financial advisor, David Rowland, former treasurer of the Conservative Party. Despite the debts and scandals, the prince continued living beyond his means, relying on his connections to stay afloat.

Debts and financial troubles: the dark side of top-level

Prince Andrew accumulated a series of debts that cost him dearly. In 2019, the seller of a Swiss property sued him for a non-payment of nearly eight million euros. Finally, in 2022, the woman accepted a 50% reduction in the debt as the only way to recover some of the owed money.

The brother of the king faced a 15 million euro out-of-court settlement with Virginia Giuffre, following the sexual abuse scandal related to Jeffrey Epstein. This settlement was partly funded by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and his brother Charles.

In December 2022, Andrew sold the Swiss property for about 22 million euros, which allowed him to cover some of his debts.

Meanwhile, his brother Charles began to reduce his privileges, such as private security and the maintenance of his properties. It was suggested that Andrew move to Frogmore Cottage, an option he didn't like, so he began considering other alternatives, including the possibility of relocating to Bahrain, where he maintains good relations with the royal family of Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

The financial future of the prince remains uncertain, but his story reflects the difficult situation of a man accustomed to top-level, who now must deal with the consequences of his past decisions.