Prince Andrew Faces Scrutiny

Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, is now facing scrutiny as the anti-monarchist group Republic has reported him to the police, alleging that he used a "false name" in registering his business interests. The name in question, "Andrew Inverness," references one of his lesser-known titles, the Earl of Inverness.

Police Acknowledgment

The Metropolitan Police acknowledged the report, stating that they are currently assessing the information related to the Companies House filing. However, they emphasized that no investigation is underway at this stage.

Seriousness of the Allegation

Graham Smith, the CEO of Republic, stated the seriousness of the allegation. "While there is no suggestion of fraud, the royals appear to believe they can act without accountability. The filing of false information, regardless of its perceived triviality, raises questions about integrity, especially when there are wider issues of fraud in the UK," he declared.

Call for Accountability

He further stressed that public figures should be held to the highest standards, particularly when the law—specifically the Companies Act—explicitly states that filing inaccurate information is an offense. Smith urged law enforcement to handle the case impartially.

Questionable Registered Address

The registered address listed by Prince Andrew has also come under question. Smith referenced a 2019 Daily Mail article, which claimed that the Duke may not have been residing at Sunninghill Park as stated on certain documents.

Prince Andrew’s Titles

Interestingly, Republic claims that Prince Andrew's "real name" is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Nevertheless, he was granted multiple titles, including Duke of York, Earl of Inverness, and Baron Killyleagh by Queen Elizabeth II during his marriage to Sarah Ferguson in 1986. It’s not uncommon for royals to utilize their titles as surnames, as seen with Prince Harry using "Captain Harry Wales" during his military service and Prince William as "Flight Lieutenant William Wales" in the RAF.

Connections to Controversial Figures

The controversy surrounding Prince Andrew's business dealings grows particularly concerning in light of his recent associations, including ties to Chinese businessman Yang Tengbo, who was barred from the UK due to security concerns. This connection has led to intensified scrutiny of the Duke’s financial affairs.

Challenges to Business Practices

Republic has challenged the validity of Prince Andrew’s use of "Andrew Inverness" in Company filings over the past two decades. For example, "Andrew Inverness" was named as a "consultant" in company registration details for Naples Gold from 2003 until it was dissolved in 2021. Another company, Urramoor Limited, listed "HRH Andrew Inverness" as a person with significant control, with an application for dissolution submitted just last week.

Conclusion

As the story continues to unfold, the implications of this report raise serious questions about royal accountability and the rules governing business practices. Will the police take further action against the Duke? Only time will tell! Stay tuned for more updates on this developing situation.