By Molly Claire Goddard
7:48am PST, Feb 23, 2026
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According to a 2019 email obtained by
Daily Mail, a whistleblower wrote to King Charles III and Buckingham Palace about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's connection to controversial millionaire
David Rowland. "HRH the Duke of York's actions suggest that his Royal Highness considers his relationship with David Rowland more important than that of his family," the message read. In an additional email sent to His Majesty's secretary
Clive Alderton,
Queen Elizabeth II's solicitor at Farrer & Co., and Rowland, the anonymous person wrote: "The evidence provided unequivocally proves that you have abused the royal family's name."
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Royal expert
Andrew Lownie claimed Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor connected David Rowland with powerful people across the world. "Andrew had lobbied for Rowland in countries including China, Azerbaijan, Libya, Bahrain and Qatar and how he had introduced
Jeffrey Epstein to the banker," he wrote in his "The Lownie Report"
Substack. "The latter two spoke about how Andrew was able to 'act without much accountability' after he was sacked from his envoy role."
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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office — while he was serving as U.K. trade envoy — for allegedly giving information to Jeffrey Epstein. "Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office," Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright confirmed in a statement. "It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offense. We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time."
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The shocking situation forced King Charles III to address Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest. "I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office," he said via
People. "What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation. Let me state clearly: the law must take its course. As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all."
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Unfortunately, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's scandal has stained the royal family. "The monarchy is losing its one claim to legitimacy, opinion poll ratings. The trend across most polling is declining support and this poll shows how low that support has gone. Falling support is unsurprising given the gravity of accusations against Andrew," anti-monarchy group Republic's chief executive
Graham Smith told
Daily Express. "The monarchy is not going to reverse this trend of falling support. The late Queen Elizabeth II was the one person keeping this creaking institution going. Even her legacy is now being tainted by the Andrew scandal."
