Charlotte Manley, the former assistant to Prince Andrew, has expressed her willingness to cooperate with police following Andrew’s recent arrest on allegations of misconduct in public office. This development comes amid a heightened scrutiny regarding Andrew’s connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and the role he may have played in improper dealings while serving as the UK’s special representative for trade and investment.
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Princess Andrew, now referred to as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was taken into custody on February 19, 2023, and spent 11 hours detained as part of an inquiry related to accusations of sharing confidential information with Epstein. Manley, who served as Andrew’s assistant from 1996 until 2003, stated her readiness to engage with investigators when approached by The Times at her residence. Although she refrained from commenting on the specific allegations against Andrew, she emphasised her preference to speak directly with the authorities rather than the media.
Over the course of her employment with Andrew, Manley frequently accompanied him on official trips. It has been reported that she signed a cheque totalling £75 for a massage arranged by Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former associate, which has now come under scrutiny. The cheque was drawn from Buckingham Palace’s account in 2000 and raises questions about the nature of Andrew’s relationships and interactions during his role as a trade envoy.
In recollections shared by Monique Giannelloni, a former masseuse of Maxwell’s, it was revealed that Manley facilitated a visit to the Palace to provide a massage for Andrew. Giannelloni described entering a room where Andrew briefly appeared in a robe before returning nude. Despite the awkward situation, Giannelloni recalled Andrew being polite during the massage, although such accounts contribute to the ongoing controversy surrounding his conduct.
For over a decade, Prince Andrew has faced allegations of sexual misconduct. Most notably, Virginia Giuffre, who has publicly accused him of sexual assault, claimed that she was forced into sexual encounters with him when she was just 17. In 2022, Andrew and Giuffre reached a civil settlement, without any admission of guilt, but Giuffre sadly took her own life in early 2025.
As reactions to his arrest unfurl, calls for further investigation have emerged. An MP is now demanding clarity regarding an offshore firm associated with Andrew, questioning whether it played a role in financing his activities during his time as a trade envoy. Reports indicate that Andrew was a co-owner of Inverness Asset Management, a company registered in the British Virgin Islands in 2007 and dissolved in 2019.
Buckingham Palace has yet to comment on these developments or the implications they may have for Andrew’s standing. As the investigation unfolds, the consequences of Andrew’s longstanding connections to controversy and scandal remain to be seen. This incident further complicates the royal family’s efforts to distance themselves from accusations of impropriety, and public interest surrounding the situation continues to grow.
The ongoing inquiry not only raises critical questions regarding Andrew’s past but also touches upon broader themes of accountability within public office. As this story develops, it will likely impact the royal family’s reputation and public perception in both the UK and beyond. The willingness of figures such as Manley to share information could prove significant in unravelling the full extent of the allegations against Andrew and his time as a royal representative in various international contexts.
As the future unfolds, many will be watching how both the investigation and public sentiment evolve in response to these serious allegations and the implications for the monarchy at large.