Andrew charged taxpayers for massage when trade envoy, claim ex-civil servants
BBC World
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Prince Andrew has faced accusations of improperly charging taxpayers for personal expenses during his tenure as the UK's trade envoy between 2001 and 2011. Whistleblower former civil servants claim he sought reimbursement for massages and excessive travel costs, with one employee objecting to a massage expense but ultimately overruled by senior staff. The Department for Business and Trade has not refuted these specific claims but deferred comment due to an ongoing police investigation into Andrew's associations. While his role was unpaid, it received taxpayer-funded support for overseas trips. These allegations come amid scrutiny of Andrew's past connections, including his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, which led to the end of his trade envoy position.
Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing or personal gain from his trade envoy role. The former civil servants who came forward expressed concern over a lack of financial oversight during his travels. One recounted feeling "shocked" by Andrew's lavish spending, including excessive flights and hotel charges for his entourage. Another highlighted that expenses were often routed through different budgets, making them difficult to track and approve. These whistleblowers emphasized that senior civil servants showed undue deference to Andrew, leading to minimal scrutiny of his expenses.
The revelations raise questions about accountability and transparency in public spending. The whistleblowers' accounts suggest a lack of proper financial oversight during Andrew's tenure as trade envoy. Their concerns were initially ignored, and they felt compelled to come forward after hearing claims that no internal objections had been raised. This situation underscores the importance of rigorous scrutiny of public funds to prevent misuse.
These allegations contribute to an ongoing conversation about Andrew's conduct and the need
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Originally published on BBC World on 2/23/2026