Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has voluntarily surrendered his firearms and shotgun certificate following a visit from Metropolitan Police licensing officers.
The police request
The Met confirmed that on 19 November, officers attended Royal Lodge in Windsor “to request that a man in his 60s voluntarily surrender his firearms and shotgun certificate”. A spokesman said: “The certificate was surrendered, and we will not be commenting any further at this stage.”
The force declined to give reasons for the request. Solicitors Ellis Jones noted that such police actions typically follow concerns about public safety, a licence holder’s wellbeing or whether someone remains fit to hold firearms.
What happens to the firearms?
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor retains his guns, which remain at the Windsor estate, but officers imposed fresh conditions on storage and access. He can now only use or transport firearms under supervision by a certificate holder.
Background context
The 65-year-old lost his royal titles in October following continued scrutiny over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He is rumoured to be relocating to Marsh Farm, near Sandringham.
A keen shot, Mr Mountbatten-Windsor formerly attended royal shooting weekends at Windsor, Sandringham and Balmoral, though he has been absent from such gatherings since losing his titles. He competed for the royal team at Jackie Stewart’s Celebrity Challenge clay pigeon shoot in 1986.
