Prince Andrew Might “Do a Prince Harry” and Leave England Amid King Charles Drama

And there’s already a short list of countries that he might go to.

Starr is a News Writer for InStyle. She has worked in pop culture and entertainment since 2017 and has been with InStyle since 2024

Prince Andrew is running out of options in the United Kingdom—so much so, that he’s considering taking a page from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s book and leaving the country altogether in order to start over fresh.

A longtime friend of the royal spoke with The Daily Beast, and revealed that “Andrew is sick and tired of being painted as a pariah in the British media and is seriously contemplating a move to the United Arab Emirates or Bahrain.”

Andrew is contemplating the move due to several factors—most recently he received backlash for his rumored involvement with an alleged Chinese spy named Yang Tengbo who was banned from England on national security grounds. Not to mention his drama with King Charles, who may have banned him from Christmas at Sandringham and is attempting to remove him from Royal Lodge. In the past, he was also linked to Jeffrey Epstein.

“None of us would blame him if he decided to do a Harry and leave,” Andrew’s friend told the outlet, referring to Harry and Meghan’s move to California in 2020 after stepping down from their senior royal duties. “He can’t do anything here anymore, he can’t leave the house, he can’t do any business, and now he is apparently Kim Philby [a British double agent in WWII].”

The move to the Middle East feels entirely possible, as the source added that “Andrew has a vast array of contacts in the Middle East and could be leading a meaningful life there. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he thought enough was enough after this latest stich-up by the establishment.” As for Bahrain, Andrew also “has wealthy if sometimes dubious supporters in both jurisdictions, but especially in the autocratic monarchy of Bahrain” and it’s a possibility that the country’s king, Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, may welcome him with open arms.

Meanwhile, a reconciliation with his brother Charles seems improbable at the moment. “His Majesty’s patience is wearing thin,” a friend of the reigning monarch told the outlet. “He has stood by Andrew for many years, but everyone has their limits. I can’t see the king wanting to walk to church with someone who was friends with a Chinese spy.”