Fresh questions have erupted over Buckingham Palace’s handling of allegations surrounding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, with a royal commentary panel asking why the King was not informed years earlier about claims involving his brother’s conduct.
The issue was raised in the latest edition of the Palace Confidential newsletter, where royal editor Mark Hookham examined new reporting that suggests the Palace may have received sensitive information relating to Andrew as far back as 2020.
At the heart of the controversy are claims that an archive of around 30,000 emails — allegedly containing material linked to Andrew’s time as a UK trade envoy — was passed to the most senior official in the Royal Household, the Lord Chamberlain, several years ago.
Some of the material is said to include correspondence suggesting Andrew shared or requested confidential government information during overseas trade missions, allegations he has repeatedly denied.
According to reports, the emails were originally obtained from a private business associate and later handed to authorities and Palace officials for review.
The central question now being asked is why these concerns were not escalated more urgently within royal circles — and whether senior figures, including the King, should have been made aware of the scale of the material sooner.
Buckingham Palace has declined to comment in detail, citing the ongoing police investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The controversy has reignited scrutiny over how the Royal Household manages sensitive allegations involving members of the Royal Family, particularly those no longer carrying out official duties.
Andrew stepped back from public life in 2019 following his controversial BBC Newsnight interview and later relinquished his remaining royal titles amid continued scrutiny of his links to Jeffrey Epstein. More recently, he has faced fresh allegations connected to his role as trade envoy, with police assessing claims that he shared confidential information with Epstein — allegations he strongly denies.
Royal commentators say the latest revelations risk deepening tensions within the monarchy at a time when King Charles is seeking to streamline and modernise the institution. For now, Buckingham Palace is maintaining silence, while pressure continues to grow for greater transparency over what was known — and when.