For several years, Prince Andrew has been under public scrutiny for many of his actions. Indeed, since the Duke of York’s infamous Newsnight interview in 2019, he has been shunned from public life by the Royal Family.
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More recently, the disgraced Duke has been in the public eye once again. In December 2024, it was reported that Prince Andrew’s ‘close confidant’ was accused of being a spy. It’s only been a month, and the father of two is being scrutinised once again.
The anti-monarchist group Republic has reported Prince Andrew to the police after documents revealed he used a different name to file a business. Here’s what we know.
Prince Andrew reported to the police
As per BBC News, Prince Andrew has been reported to the police by the anti-monarchist group Republic. Graham Smith, the chief executive of Republic, claims that the Duke used a ‘fake name’ when setting up a business.
Prince Andrew reportedly used the name ‘Andrew Inverness’ in 2002 when he set up the Naples Gold Limited business with sports retail tycoon Johan Eliasch, as reported by The Daily Mail. The Duke of York has used this ‘fake name’ to create a total of four companies registered at Companies House.
Moreover, per The Sun, Prince Andrew created a company under the name ‘Andrew Inverness’ in 2013, which some claim was to avoid further scrutiny following his association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Speaking about his decision to report Prince Andrew, Smith told The Telegraph that Prince Andrew should be ‘held to the highest standards’, as there are ‘serious issues of fraud committed’ using fake names in the UK.
The apparent filing of false information with Companies House may seem trivial, but the UK faces serious issues of fraud committed in this way. While no such fraud is alleged here, surely Andrew must be held to the highest standards.
The Met Police has responded to the complaint
Following the complaint made by Republic, the Met Police has responded. A spokesperson explained that they are looking into the complaint to ascertain whether further action needs to be taken. They also revealed that there is no police investigation for the time being.
The spokesperson said:
On Monday, January 9, the Met received a report relating to a Companies House filing. This report will now be assessed to determine whether any further action is required. There is no investigation at this early stage.
Nonetheless, it isn’t uncommon for royals to use titles as surnames. For example, Prince William and Princess Kate’s children are known as ‘Wales’ in school, as their parents are the Prince and Princess of Wales.
It seems as though Prince Andrew used one of his lesser-known titles. The late Queen Elizabeth bestowed the title Earl of Inverness upon her third child in 1986 when he married Sarah Ferguson, with whom he still shares Royal Lodge.
Historically, royals didn’t have surnames. As explained by Hello!, members of the Royal Family were known by the house they belonged to. It wasn’t until World War Two that George V decided the Royal Family’s surname would be Windsor.
Even to this day, royals typically don’t use a surname, but if they do, it is Mountbatten-Windsor, a decision made by Queen Elizabeth when she married Prince Philip.
Read more:
King Charles still trying to evict Prince Andrew, who could Royal Lodge go to if he succeeds?
Sarah Ferguson rules out remarriage with Prince Andrew: 'We are very happy as we are'
Sources used:
Daily Mail: ‘Prince Andrew reported to the POLICE after 'using fake name' amid saga around private investments company’
The Sun: ‘FRESH BLOW Prince Andrew reported to COPS for ‘using fake name’ to register private investment firm after Epstein scandal’
The Telegraph: ‘Prince Andrew reported to police over name used on business forms’
BBC News: ‘Andrew reported after 'false' business name claim’
Hello!: ‘What is the royal family's last name? British royal surnames explained’
