A complaint has been made to police by anti-monarchy group Republic, stating that a false name was used in Prince Andrew’s business interests’ registration. The name “Andrew Inverness,” representing the Earl of Inverness, a lesser-known title of Prince Andrew’s, was used over ten years ago in the registration details with Companies House. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that a report had been received concerning the filing of the registration. However, there is no investigation taking place currently, and this report will be assessed to determine further action.
Chief executive officer of the Republic group, Graham Smith, filed the complaint claiming that Prince Andrew had alleged filing of false information with Companies House, but there was no allegation suggesting fraud. Smith stated that while it may seem trivial, it is against the law to file wrong information according to the Companies Act and that there must be public interest in pursuing the matter when a high-profile figure puts forward such an accusation. Furthermore, the group is seeking assurances that police would “pursue this matter without fear or favor, something they seem to struggle with when it comes to the royals.”
Companies House declined to comment, stating that the organization would not comment on individual companies or filings. It is understood that the Companies Act of 1985 governed the legislation when the firms were registered and included a three-year time limit for legal challenges over information filed with Companies House. “No action can be brought after this,” according to the act.
In addition, the Republic group refers to Prince Andrew’s “real name” as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Nevertheless, Queen Elizabeth II also granted Prince Andrew the titles Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh in 1986 when he married Sarah Ferguson. Royals have previously been known to use titles as surnames, and Prince Harry was known in the army as “Captain Harry Wales” with Prince William as “Flight Lieutenant William Wales” during his time in the RAF.
The claims come amidst the controversy surrounding Prince Andrew’s links with a Chinese businessman and the public scrutiny surrounding his finances. The Republic group challenged Prince Andrew’s use of “Andrew Inverness” in registration details over the past two decades, as reported by the BBC, which followed the tradition of using his Scottish title when working in Scotland. Prince Andrew’s office has been approached for comment
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