Allegations have emerged that former Prince Andrew misused public funds during his tenure as Britain's trade envoy, specifically by having taxpayer dollars cover the cost of massages and other travel expenses. An ex-official from the Department for International Trade expressed frustration with Andrew's attempts to have his massage services funded by the public purse. The official indicated that while they initially rejected Andrew's request, a higher authority overturned this decision, leading to a controversial expenditure.

The retired official recounted an incident following one of Andrew's trips to the Middle East, wherein they believed that it was inappropriate for such expenses to be billed to taxpayers. Despite their objections, the expenses were ultimately approved, raising questions about accountability and the standards of public officials. The official noted that it would have been beneficial for someone to intervene and encourage Andrew to reconsider his conduct, indicating a systemic issue within the decision-making processes of government representatives.

The BBC has attempted to seek a response from Andrew regarding these allegations, continuing to place pressure on him to clarify his actions amidst ongoing scrutiny of his financial dealings. This situation not only highlights potential misappropriations of public funds but also reflects on Andrew’s controversial reputation following past legal troubles and public disapproval, further complicating discussions about the monarchy's role and responsibilities towards taxpayers in the UK.