The former Prince Andrew’s unofficial biographer recently came up with some choice thoughts about what he believes is the only way for the firm to thrive, and fix the stigma attached to it because of York.
He wrote the entire process for this in an excerpt I paper. According to the author of OfficerThe book, which first exposed Andrew’s past opposition positions, said “Moral authority can be restored, but only if a series of reforms are quickly initiated by both the Palace and the government.”
First, “they include: appropriate parliamentary oversight,” the author said. “The introduction of a royal register for MPs, which will show the business activities of members such as Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, was released 20 years ago.”
He believes that this would then entail opening up the royal will, “which was open until the last century.”
This was followed by “removing the royal exemption to the Freedom of Information Act which was part of the initial discussion. Opening all royal archives subject to existing exemptions to public scrutiny.”
Furthermore Mr Lowney believes “the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall should be brought into public ownership and subject to the same laws as other business organisations, such as having to disclose tax paid and being subject to capital gains and inheritance tax, etc”.
“The end of the consent of the king and the prince to shape the law before it comes into the statute book” is also an important thing that the author mentioned. It is also expected to introduce audits of Crown Estate properties “to ensure that market rents apply.” As well as “a complete list of the Royal Collection Trust and a proper register of royal gifts, under whatever auspices they were given.”
“I also believe there should be a parliamentary inquiry, with former foreign secretaries, heads of UKTI, ambassadors to the Central Asian republics, etc. – most of whom refused to speak to me – forced to testify under oath about what really happened in the decade when Andrew allegedly exploited his public position for personal gain,” he said.
After all Andrew is said to have been ‘enabled’ by “a whole coterie of politicians, diplomats and civil servants”, as he puts it. “The Government should release all the files from Andrew’s time as trade envoy so we can see who traveled with him, where he stayed, who he did business with and he should answer parliamentary questions which I know are being asked by respected politicians in both Houses of Parliament.”
Before concluding he acknowledged, “Only such reforms can the monarchy flourish, and correct the stigma associated with it. Above all, the royal family needs to make clear what they knew about the Yorks’ activities and what they did about them. If they have nothing to hide, they have nothing to fear.”
