Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s death could shatter a century-old royal custom by revealing the true extent of his fortune.
Traditionally, the wills of senior Royal Family members remain sealed for 90 years following their deaths to maintain the “dignity” and “privacy” of the institution.
However, since Andrew, 66, was stripped of his royal titles over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, his estate may not be granted the same protection.
“For years, there has been enormous curiosity about how Andrew continues to maintain his lifestyle after effectively being removed from public royal life,” an insider told Radar Online.
“The assumption inside royal circles is that his will could finally expose the true state of his finances, his investments, his property arrangements, and exactly how wealthy he really is….
“Traditionally, royal wills are sealed to preserve privacy and protect the dignity of the institution, but there is growing belief that Andrew’s estate may not receive the same protection because of his changed status and the damage caused by the Epstein scandal.”
The courts have been asked to seal the wills of senior Royal Family members since 1910.
Following the death of Prince Philip in 2021, the UK’s High Court ruled that the wills should be kept a secret for 90 years, then a private process will determine when, or if ever, they become public.
Sir Andrew McFarlane, the President of the Family Division at the time, said of the ruling: “There is a need to enhance the protection afforded to truly private aspects of the lives of this limited group of individuals in order to maintain the dignity of the Sovereign and close members of her family…
“Whilst there may be public curiosity as to the private arrangements that a member of the Royal Family may choose to make in their will, there is no true public interest in the public knowing this wholly private information.”
The wills are locked in a safe in London and held by the High Court.
Unlike other members of the Royal Family, Princess Diana’s will was published following her death in 1997, revealing that the majority of her £21 million estate went to her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
At the time of her death, Diana was a private citizen, so her estate was subject to the normal rules under the UK’s probate system.
Following the former Duke of York’s dramatic fall from grace, he is now a private citizen too.
In 2007, a man claiming to be the illegitimate son of Princess Margaret applied to unseal the wills of the late princess and the Queen Mother.
The High Court threw out his claim, with a judge branding it “vexatious” and an “abuse of process”.