King Charles expresses his 'gratitude' in new update as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor turmoil continues
The drama continues...
King Charles has just spoken out with a new statement. Meanwhile, the Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrest scandal toils on in the background as observers await answers.
The regal world of the royals has been completely shaken up by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s shock arrest last week. Despite this, it seems that the royals are trying to move forward.
Here is the latest update on The Firm…
Royal family latest
Last night, Prince William and Princess Kate attempted to act like all is right in the royal world as they stunned at the BAFTA Film Awards 2026. However, we all are well aware that things are more than likely extremely tense back at the palace.
King Charles also appeared to be looking on the positive side as he issued a heartfelt statement dedicated to Team GB following their performance at the Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, on Sunday evening.
He penned to his social media channels: “As the Winter Games come to a close, my wife and I send our most heartfelt congratulations to all the Olympic medal winners from Team GB, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, on your remarkable successes.
King Charles shares statement
“Whether on the ice or amid Italy’s glorious snowscapes, you have demonstrated not only exceptional skill, but also the grace and camaraderie that embody the Olympic spirit at its finest.
“To those who did not reach the podium, from right across the Commonwealth, please know that you, too, can return home with proud hearts and heads held high. Every performance, often in the face of great personal risk, was a testament to your courage, commitment and awesome athleticism, all of it made possible with the tireless work of your support teams on the ground and back home.
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“As we express gratitude to the people of Italy for hosting such a magnificent celebration, and turn our attention to the Winter Paralympics to come, your collective achievements have dazzled and inspired audiences across the globe -among them, we hope, the Olympian stars of the future.”
The statement comes just days after the monarch broke his silence following Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s unprecedented arrest.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrest news
And although Andrew has been released from custody under investigation, it seems the scandal is far from coming to an end.
More concerning details continue to emerge.
Last Thursday, February 19, the former prince was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The specific details of the allegations of misconduct being investigated are unknown.
The royal has faced allegations of sharing sensitive and confidential documents to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein when he was UK’s trade envoy in 2010.
Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. He has also vehemently denied allegations of sexual assault against him.
This arrest should not be seen as any indication of guilt and there are no charges yet.
Despite this, new elements of the story are coming to light.
Including some seemingly questionable behaviour displayed by the disgraced prince whilst working as trade envoy.
Claims about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s alleged behaviour whilst trade envoy
A retired civil servant has claimed that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor charged taxpayers for massages while working as the UK’s trade envoy.
The former member of staff, who is said to have worked in the UK’s trade department in the early 2000s, as per reports, claimed Andrew successfully expensed the treatment.
They also claimed that the former prince got way with excessive travel costs during his time in the role between 2001 and 2011.
“I thought it was wrong… I’d said we mustn’t pay it. But we ended up paying it anyway,” he alleged to the BBC.
The outlet stated that The Department for Business and Trade has not challenged this claim.
But they have allegedly referred to the ongoing police investigation into his alleged misconduct.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s alleged lavish spending
The retired civil servant allegedly regrets that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor got away with expenses for a massage.
“I can’t say it would have stopped him. But we should have flagged that something was wrong,” they said.
BBC claim that another source, a former senior Whitehall official, had seen similar expenses for Andrew’s trips.
They claim that they have “absolutely no doubt” about its authenticity.
BBC said of the claims: “Both of the former civil servants wanted to remain anonymous, but have separately spoken to the BBC about their claims. The BBC has not seen proof of the claim about charging for massages from over 20 years ago. But the BBC has seen documentary evidence of the whistleblowers’ closeness to this area at the time. And there is nothing unlawful suggested in Andrew’s behaviour.”
The former senior Whitehall official claimed he was shocked by Andrew’s lavish spending. They claim that he was able to get away with this as the costs disappeared into various budgets. This made the spending hard to trace.
They said here was also little certainty over who had been in Andrew’s entourage at the time.
“I couldn’t believe it… it was like it wasn’t real money, they weren’t spending any of their own money,” they official claimed.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s accused of ‘bruising’ behaviour
Elsewhere, other claims of Andrew’s “bruising” behaviour have surfaced.
Vince Cable, who served as business secretary in 2011, has chimed in about Andrew’s alleged actions.
He said Andrew was “thought to be a bit of a freeloader who wasn’t very useful, and we’d rather not have any dealings with him”.
However, Cable claims that there was quite a different narrative about Andrew’s work that was actually shared.
“But because he was royalty, the official line was that, of course, he was doing a wonderful job,” he told The Observer.
Another former Whitehall grandee alleged that ambassadors would complain that large receptions were staged so Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor could “arrive late and only talk to the young women and then leave early”.
The official claimed that other royals would make “everyone feeling delighted”.
Whilst Andrew’s personality “often left bruises behind”.
Representatives for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Buckingham Palace have been contacted for comment.
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