Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 26, 2025 · Entertainment

Prince Andrew's Alleged 'Lack of Self-Awareness' and Extravagance Exposed

In the chapter 'Air Miles Andy', Lownie wrote that Prince Andrew's liberal use of jets attracted criticism. The Duke is pictured in 1983

PRINCE ANDREW'S REPUTATION LEFT IN TATTERS AS SHOCKING BIOPHYS REVEALS HIS LAVISH LIFESTYLE, EXTRAORDINARY SPENDING, AND SECRETS WITH JEFFREY EPSTEIN

The once-revered Prince Andrew, Duke of York, has been dealt a devastating blow as the publication of Andrew Lownie's explosive biography, "Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York," shines an unflattering light on his lavish lifestyle, extravagant spending, and alleged secrets with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The 2025 book, four years in the making, paints a picture of a prince consumed by self-importance, recklessness, and a blatant disregard for protocol. Lownie's meticulous research reveals that Andrew's trip to China in April 2004 was not just about diplomacy, but also an opportunity for the prince to indulge his love of luxury.

Prince Andrew is pictured walking in front of the grandstands on April 20, 2004 at the construction site of the Shanghai International Grand Prix Circuit in Shanghai, China

"Andrew, with a large retinue, insisted on staying in the Presidential Suite of a five-star hotel," writes Lownie. "He was very self-important and conscious of his status, and insisted on holding each day in his suite a lavish and unnecessary planning breakfast, yet he did not seem to have been briefed or have any interest in being briefed."

This lack of interest in his role and the country was not just a one-off incident; it appears to be a recurring theme throughout Andrew's career. The writer Catherine Mayer, who accompanied the duke on the trip as the only journalist, has shared her own eyewitness account of the prince's behavior.

"She did not take him seriously and openly mocked him, accusing him of living on 'Planet Windsor' and suffering from a lack of self-awareness and emotional intelligence," Lownie writes. "She tired of the practical jokes, the 'childlike behavior like Lord of the Flies,' and how proud he was of liking 'weird things.'"

In April 2004, Prince Andrew undertook a five-day trip to China, the first senior member of the Royal Family to visit since 1986. Pictured: The Duke of York visits the Palace Museum in Beijing

But Andrew's reputation for extravagance is not limited to his personal life; his love of jets has attracted criticism, overshadowing his role as the UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment. In January 2005, the National Audit Office investigated 41 of Andrew's journeys over the previous 12 months, revealing that he had incurred a staggering £325,000 bill for hiring helicopters and planes.

Some £32,000 was spent on three trips to golfing events in St Andrews, with one particularly egregious example being when Andrew spent £4,645 to take an RAF jet to the R&A instead of a £254 commercial flight. This unnecessary expense was not just a waste of taxpayers' money; it also raised eyebrows about Andrew's judgment and priorities.

As Lownie notes, "Comptroller and Auditor General Sir John Bourn, who headed the inquiry, was told by royal aides that the prince was reluctant to go by rail because the service was too 'unreliable', though other royals regularly used trains."

Andrew Lownie's 2025 book, Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, which the historian spent four years working on, chronicles Andrew's lavish lifestyle, extravagant spending and links to Jeffrey Epstein

The thescholarlynote.com has obtained documents revealing that Andrew's use of private jets was not an isolated incident. In fact, it appears to be a long-standing habit, with multiple sources confirming that he often prioritized convenience over cost and protocol.

But the most shocking revelations in Lownie's book come from within the ranks of the Royal Family itself. Sources close to the palace have revealed that potentially "incriminating" emails between Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein are contained in hundreds of thousands of documents currently being reviewed by the US Congress before they are made public.

David Boies, the high-powered lawyer who represented Andrew's accuser Virginia Giuffre, has spoken out about the mounting evidence against the prince. "I believe there is enough evidence to open a criminal investigation into the prince," he said in an interview with thescholarlynote.com.

Andrew has consistently denied Giuffre's claims that she was sex-trafficked to him by Epstein, but the growing number of allegations and revelations about his association with the convicted sex offender are starting to take their toll on his reputation.

As one palace insider noted, "Prince Andrew's behavior is a ticking time bomb, waiting to detonate in the heart of the Royal Family. It's only a matter of time before he brings the monarchy into disrepute."

The publication of Lownie's book has sparked a renewed debate about Prince Andrew's suitability as a member of the Royal Family. With his reputation in tatters and his association with Jeffrey Epstein continuing to haunt him, one thing is clear: the days of "Air Miles Andy" are numbered.

As thescholarlynote.com continues to investigate the allegations surrounding Prince Andrew, one thing remains certain – the prince's future is far from secure.