Prince Andrew may resume international travel after six years of remaining largely confined to Royal Lodge in Windsor, following confirmation that the FBI is closing its investigation into his connections with Jeffrey Epstein.
The 65-year-old Duke has avoided leaving the UK since 2019 due to concerns about potential arrest abroad.
A leaked memo revealed the FBI's decision to close the investigation, potentially allowing the Duke to end his self-imposed travel restrictions.
Since the scandal emerged, he has made only one journey outside the UK—a private jet trip to Bahrain in 2022.
Prince Andrew ‘won't sit around at Royal Lodge’ as Epstein probe ends.
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A friend of the Duke revealed his anxiety about travelling abroad, telling the Sun: "He has always been very nervous about going abroad."
The source added: "Hopefully with this out of the way it means he can at least leave the country. What's he supposed to do with the rest of his life?
"He hasn't been convicted of any crime and can't sit around doing nothing at Royal Lodge forever."
The Duke previously earned the nickname "Air Miles Andy" due to criticism over his extensive globe-trotting and use of helicopters and aircraft at taxpayers' expense during his time as a working royal and UK trade envoy. He accumulated substantial travel bills in those roles.
Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein photographed at a party in 2000.GettyEarlier this year, it emerged that Andrew was attempting to monetise access to his former business contacts worldwide through a commercial arrangement with Dutch-based firm Startupbootcamp.
The agreement involved him receiving payment for sharing connections he had established through his now-defunct global initiative Pitch@Palace, particularly in East Asia.
However, his reluctance to travel prevented him from meeting these contacts in person.
Andrew had previously stated he would be "willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency" following Epstein's death in 2019.
Royal Lodge is located on the Windsor Estate.GettyLATEST ROYAL NEWS:
Prince Andrew spends much of his time at Royal Lodge.
PAThe Department of Justice subsequently applied to the Home Office to interview Andrew through a mutual legal assistance request, typically used in criminal investigations. Their investigation was paused last year.
The Duke has consistently denied allegations by Virginia Giuffre that he abused her when she was 17.
In 2022, without accepting any admission of guilt, Prince Andrew settled his case out of court.
Giuffre was tragically found dead at her Australian farm in April, aged 41.
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