In a surprising turn of events, Andrew Windsor, the former Duke of York, has had his firearms license revoked, raising eyebrows and prompting concerns regarding his mental health.
According to inside sources, this drastic measure comes on the heels of serious apprehensions raised by both police and palace officials regarding Windsor’s wellbeing.
Earlier this month, officials from the Metropolitan Police’s firearms licensing unit visited Royal Lodge in Windsor, urging Windsor to voluntarily surrender his gun certificates.
This intervention was fueled by fears that his mental state had sharply declined, creating a scenario where he could potentially harm himself or others.
Historically, Windsor had enjoyed the privileges associated with his firearms license, a status that allowed him to participate in high-profile shooting weekends.
However, the landscape has drastically shifted; at 65 years old, he now finds himself facing restrictions that prevent him from handling weapons without professional supervision.
Sources close to the situation have revealed that there are rising concerns about his safety, as well as that of those around him.
The backdrop for these alarming changes lies in Windsor’s recent loss of royal titles, a decision made by his brother, King Charles III, following an ongoing scandal linked to Jeffrey Epstein and a settled sexual assault claim involving Virginia Giuffre.
Giuffre, a Traffic victim who tragically took her own life at 41, had always maintained her allegations against Windsor, which he has consistently denied.
With Windsor’s retreat from public life following these events, palace officials recognized the need for preventative measures.
A source familiar with Windsor’s situation indicated, “The decision to revoke his gun license wasn’t made lightly.
There was serious concern that allowing him to keep access to firearms was no longer a viable option.”
Another insider offered further insight into the palace’s worries, describing Windsor as being under a sort of unofficial suicide watch.
Staff members are reportedly checking in on him frequently under directives from the King, highlighting the depth of concern regarding his rapidly deteriorating mental health.
In the UK, if someone holding a firearms license shows signs of being a potential risk to themselves or others, authorities can quickly remove that license.
While police previously had been cautious, imposing strict storage guidelines instead of confiscating Windsor’s weapons, the full revocation reflected a significant shift in the seriousness of the situation.
Adding to Windsor’s troubles was an alleged request he made to a royal protection officer regarding information about Virginia Giuffre, a claim which was investigated by the Metropolitan Police but ultimately not pursued further.
Windsor has denied this allegation, but law enforcement sources maintain that the cumulative pressures he faced led to the decision to revoke his licenses.
The Metropolitan Police have verified their visit to Windsor but have chosen not to provide any further details about their reasoning, quietly confirming that he surrendered his certificates during that encounter.
Meanwhile, Windsor’s absence from recent shooting events at Windsor Great Park has not gone unnoticed.
Royal sources indicate that there were significant worries that allowing him to participate in these activities could exacerbate his already precarious state.
The choice to not pursue any legal action regarding Windsor’s alleged inquiry into Giuffre has provoked frustration from her family, who voiced their disappointment over the Met’s handling of the situation.
They lamented that the police failed to involve them in any discussions before closing the case.
Now residing under heightened security at Royal Lodge, Windsor appears increasingly isolated from the public eye.
As palace aides navigate what has been described as an ongoing, troubling situation, many are left wondering what the future holds for the once-prominent royal.