Andrew surrenders shotgun licence after police visit
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has given up his gun license ahead of his expected move in the new year.
The former British Duke was visited by the Metropolitan Police at his Royal Lodge residence in Windsor last month.
UK police have not said why the King’s brother had to give up his shotgun licences, but it means he can only use or carry his guns if accompanied.
The Sun reported that the former prince, who was stripped of his titles due to his connection to pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, gave up his license following the controversy.
The UK newspaper reported that specialist police officers spoke to a valet about the situation.
The Sun said a factor in the decision may have been that Andrew was expected to move to Norfolk in the new year and that gun license holders were required to inform authorities about how their guns would be stored at their new address.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: “On Wednesday 19 November, Metropolitan Police firearms licensing officers attended an address in Windsor to demand that a man in his 60s voluntarily surrender his firearms and shotgun certificate.
“The certificate has been delivered and we will not be commenting further at this stage.”
It is understood the case will be reviewed and Andrew will be informed of the outcome.
It is understood the former duke, who voluntarily surrendered his firearms certificate, will continue to have supervised access to his guns.
Andrew has a long association with hunting.
An undated photo released this week by the US Department of Justice showed Epstein, his disgraced girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell and the then-Duke of York in shooting gear, armed with a shotgun, on a moorland believed to be Balmoral.
In his infamous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis, the former prince denied hosting a birthday party for Maxwell at Sandringham and insisted it was a “simple filming weekend”.
In 1986, Jackie Stewart was photographed competing for the royal team in the Celebrity Challenge clay pigeon shooting.
