Once again, Prince Andrew finds himself on the outside looking in, as the British royal family distances itself following the latest controversies surrounding his associations and financial dealings.
However, an unexpected invitation from Abu Dhabi’s elite may offer him a new chapter far from U.K. headlines.
Prince Andrew to go into self-imposed exile in Abu Dhabi?
According to claims set to appear in an upcoming biography by royal historian Andrew Lownie, Prince Andrew has been granted the use of a luxurious palace in Abu Dhabi.
While he doesn’t own the property, the arrangement reportedly allows him exclusive access to the fully staffed residence.
Lownie suggests that the prince may soon divide his time between the United Kingdom and the Middle East.
The move could serve as an escape from mounting scrutiny. Andrew has been accused of forming questionable alliances, including with Yang Tengbo, a Chinese businessman exposed as a suspected spy.
Their partnership dates back to Andrew’s controversial Pitch@Palace initiative, where Yang managed its Chinese division.
Allegations suggest Andrew stood to gain financially from these dealings, despite his already tarnished reputation.
Andrew’s reliance on connections with wealthy foreign benefactors has raised concerns over how he funds his opulent lifestyle.
This isn’t the first time such questions have arisen. Documents reveal that Andrew, along with his ex-wife and daughters, received payments from Selman Turk, an alleged fraudster accused of deceiving a Turkish heiress, as reported by the Daily Beast.
The prince has also faced backlash for selling his former home to the son-in-law of Kazakhstan’s then-president at a price far above market value.
The property, eventually demolished and rebuilt, now sits empty, a stark symbol of the tangled financial web tied to Andrew’s name.
Andrew’s relationship with the royal family appears more strained than ever. King Charles III, previously more tolerant of his brother’s return to public life, has reportedly reached his limit.
The prince has been excluded from family celebrations, including Christmas, signaling a clear message of disapproval.
For Andrew, a potential move to Abu Dhabi might offer refuge. Lownie notes the prince’s appeal to the region’s climate, lifestyle, and opportunities for private business dealings.
He adds that the arrangement costs Abu Dhabi nothing while granting Andrew the deference and privacy he craves.
If the relocation occurs, Andrew would not be the first royal to seek solace in the United Arab Emirates. Spain’s King Juan Carlos has resided there since 2020, following his own high-profile corruption scandal.