Revealed: how prince andrew was accused of ‘abusing his power”

PRINCE ANDREW ‘ABUSED POWER’ WITH ROYAL TRANSPORT CLAIM EXPERTS Prince Andrew has been involved in helping the Queen welcome Donald Trump and Melania Trump on their state visit to the UK,

which is currently on day two of three. In addition to taking the US President and First Lady on a tour of Westminster Abbey yesterday, the Duke of York also joined the Trumps and Theresa

May for a  “business breakfast” this morning.  The Duke of York works to promote British businesses and innovation, however he stepped down from his official role as UK trade envoy in 2011.

However, his royal role has come under scrutiny in recent years, with some accusing the Duke of “abusing his power” when it comes to the costs of royal perks.  RELATED ARTICLES However, his

royal role has come under scrutiny in recent years, with some accusing the Duke of “abusing his power” when it comes to the costs of royal perks.  Channel 5 documentary “Royal Scandals”,

which originally aired in April, heard from royal experts on how the Duke of York has courted controversy in the past.  Royal author Katie Nicholl said: “‘Air Miles Andy’ is a nickname I

think Prince Andrew would rather lose, but it’s one that’s stuck, simply because there has been an abuse of his power. “He has used the Royal Flight, Royal Helicopter, on many occasions,

claiming that it’s the most efficient way to get to work, and in some cases, it has been.” Prince Andrew, Duke of York (Image: Getty) The prince was given the nickname for his percieved

extravagance (Image: Getty) She continued: “I think there probably are some people who would say it is a sense of entitlement and it’s also greedy.  “I think for me, it just makes that

particular royal look completely out of touch with the public.” Royal historian Richard Fitzwilliams added: “The Duke of York was called “Air Miles Andy” by newspapers who were outraged at

trips he was taking. “The fact that he justified some of the trips by saying that they were linked to British businesses or linked to his engagements did not alter the fact that the overall

perception was that he was very fond of golf courses. RELATED ARTICLES He went on: “The matter of royal travel is very often one for debate. “The royals certainly give out the message that

they travel in as economical a way as possible that is commensurate with security. “I think that, on the whole, is true.” In February this year, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex also

came under fire for her star-studded luxury baby shower after she flew to the US in a private jet for the occasion.  Prince Andrew with Donald and Melania Trump at Westminster Abbey

yesterday (Image: Getty) Prince Andrew, accompanying Dame Vivien Hunt, at the Buckingham Palace state banquet last night (Image: Getty) The trip on the jet alone was estimated to have cost

over £170,000, and also prompted environmentalists to question her eco-friendly credentials. The trip and the subsequent criticism it received prompted Kensington Palace to issue a rare

statement confirming that the costs – estimated to be over £345,000 in total – had been privately funded. However, that did not stop the criticism.  Royal author Claudia Joseph commented:

“In a time of austerity, when other people aren’t able to spend that sort of money, it looks bad. RELATED ARTICLES "Meghan devalues her own brand by doing it.”  The Royal Family 

reportedly spent £4.7million on travel last year, rising from £4.5million in 2017. Ms Joseph said: “If the monarchy wants to continue, if they’re seen to be spending vast amounts of the

public money and not working, or partying in public, it’s not a good look.” TRUMP VISIT: PRESIDENT LAYS WREATH AT WESTMINSTER ABBEY However, other Royals have made the news for travelling in

much less glamorous style. Prince William and Prince Harry were spotted on budget airline FlyBe after attending the wedding of their cousin Zara Philips in Scotland in 2011 , and Kate

Middleton flew British Airways for her first solo royal tour to the Netherlands in 2016. Queen Elizabeth II, although she has the use of her Royal Train, often travels by passenger train

when she goes to Sandringham every year.