Prince Andrew is at the center of a new row over his use of a special Royal Range Rover fitted with blue emergency lights despite being stripped of his police protection, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
The Duke of York, who was banished from royal duties for his friendship with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, enjoys the £100,000 4X4 benefit for horse riding in Windsor and lunch at Harry’s Bar, a swanky private club in Mayfair.
Critics are surprised that the 64-year-old continues to be given privileges despite his fall from grace.
He has been photographed driving the vehicle in Windsor and central London, and is often followed by his private protection officers in a Land Rover Discovery worth £60,000.
The Range Rover is assigned to the Duke and is equipped with police lights, while the “reserve” Land Rover is equipped with amber emergency lights as part of a fleet rented by the Royal Household.
Prince Andrew is at the center of a new row over his use of a special Royal Range Rover equipped with blue emergency lights (circled) despite being stripped of his police protection.
Prince Andrew is seen on a rare outing in London as he leaves Harry’s Bar Members Club. The Duke of York enjoys the £100,000 4X4 benefit for horse riding in Windsor and lunch at Harry’s Bar, a glitzy private club in Mayfair.
It is illegal for the public to put blue lights on their car, but all members of the Royal Family have special dispensation so the vehicles can be used on official engagements and police convoys.
However, as the embattled Andrew is no longer a working royal, there are few scenarios (apart from state funerals or coronations) in which he or his private security team would be allowed to use the lights.
It is understood the blue lights on Andrew’s Range Rover have never been switched on.
The special treatment has raised eyebrows at Scotland Yard, where sources questioned why “this vehicle equipped with emergency equipment is being driven.”
Nazir Afzal OBE, former chief Crown prosecutor, told the Ministry of State: “There is no justification for Andrew to have these blue lights. The vehicle will need to be removed.
“It is highly inappropriate, suggests arrogance and sends the message that you are entitled to services that the average citizen would not have.”
“There needs to be a review so that only working royals have access to this privilege.”
Dai Davies, former head of royal protection at Scotland Yard, added: “Andrew does not need or warrant these blue lights in the current circumstances. “The only reason would be if his threat level changes and his police protection is reintroduced.
Prince Andrew during his 2019 Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis. Andrew was forced to step down from royal duties at the end of 2019 after his disastrous interview on Newsnight about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Nazir Afzal OBE (pictured), former chief Crown prosecutor, told the Ministry of State: “There is no justification for Andrew to have these blue lights. The vehicle must be removed.
Royal author Margaret Holder said: “There is no purpose for Andrew to have these blue lights except to allow him to retain a special privilege and status symbol.”
‘When their beloved mother died, Charles was left with everything and Andrew was left with the corgis. He’s holding on to one of the last remnants of prestige he can. Sources close to the duke say the cars are not funded by taxpayers and that Andrew remains a senior royal as the king’s brother.
But her flashy car contrasts with the discreet Zara Tindall, the King’s niece, who was recently photographed driving a humble Hyundai Tucson splattered with mud and bird droppings.
Prince Andrew will be stripped of his honors and his taxpayer-funded armed police guards at the end of 2022, which previously cost the public up to £3 million a year.
He has made efforts to recover it. Last year, former Home Secretary Dame Priti Patel wrote to the King’s principal private secretary, Sir Clive Alderton, suggesting a review of the duke’s protection, but the email was leaked and Dame Priti apologised.
Andrew was forced to step down from royal duties at the end of 2019 following his disastrous Newsnight interview about his relationship with Epstein. The disgraced financier had committed suicide in a cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in August of that year.
In 2022, Andrew paid a £7 million settlement to Virginia Giuffre and, that same year, was officially stripped of his royal title and police protection. The duke has vehemently denied all allegations against him.
A Home Office spokesman said: “It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on protective security.”
A Buckingham Palace spokesman declined to comment.