A South African-born professional masseuse has alleged she provided a naked massage to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor inside Buckingham Palace in June 2000, with the £75 fee settled directly from a Royal Family Coutts bank account. Monique Giannelloni, who has worked in the wellness industry for decades, claims the appointment was arranged through Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted associate of Jeffrey Epstein. She provided the Daily Mail with an invoice showing payment authorized by Andrew’s then-personal assistant, Charlotte Manley, and drawn from a Coutts account linked to the royal household.

According to Giannelloni, Maxwell’s secretary in New York contacted her first, followed by Maxwell herself, who described the client as “more famous than God.” Giannelloni was instructed to arrive at Buckingham Palace, where she was escorted through security without major checks. She entered a bedroom where Andrew, then Duke of York, greeted her politely. After a brief conversation, he went to the bathroom and returned completely naked, dropping his towel quickly. Giannelloni said she felt “quite embarrassed” but proceeded professionally, focusing on the massage while averting her eyes from sensitive areas.

The session lasted the standard hour, after which Andrew dressed and thanked her. No security personnel were present in or immediately outside the room during the treatment. Giannelloni received the £75 payment via cheque shortly after, with the invoice bearing the Buckingham Palace logo and signed off by Manley. She described Andrew as “very nice and very gentlemanly” throughout, with no inappropriate advances.

This revelation emerges amid renewed scrutiny of Andrew’s conduct and finances. Recent reports from retired civil servants allege he charged taxpayers for massage services and excessive travel during his tenure as UK Trade Envoy from 2001 to 2011. One whistleblower claimed a massage expense from a Middle East trip was approved despite objections, highlighting concerns over public fund misuse. Andrew’s association with Epstein and Maxwell has long fueled controversy, including allegations in US court documents of daily massages during visits to Epstein’s properties.

The Coutts cheque ties into broader questions about royal household spending. Coutts, the exclusive bank long associated with the royals, has faced criticism for its client base and privacy practices. While the £75 amount is modest, the use of a royal account for a personal wellness service raises eyebrows about propriety and transparency. Buckingham Palace has not commented specifically on Giannelloni’s claims, consistent with its policy on historical private matters. No official denial or confirmation has been issued, leaving the allegation unchallenged publicly.

Giannelloni’s account adds to a pattern of reports about Andrew’s preferences for massages, including testimony from Epstein’s former staff in Florida describing daily sessions during his stays. The timing of the alleged Palace massage—just months before Andrew assumed the Trade Envoy role—places it in a period when his public profile was high, and his connections to Epstein were deepening.

Public reaction has been swift and polarized. On social media, many expressed outrage over the use of royal funds for personal indulgences, especially given Andrew’s stripped titles and removal from public duties following his Epstein ties. Others dismissed the story as outdated sensationalism, noting the consensual and professional nature described. The masseuse’s decision to come forward now, over 25 years later, coincides with ongoing legal and reputational fallout from Epstein-related cases, including Maxwell’s conviction.

The incident highlights tensions between royal privacy and public accountability. While minor expenses like a £75 massage seem trivial, they fuel narratives of entitlement and misuse, particularly when linked to controversial figures. Andrew’s defenders argue such services are common among high-profile individuals for stress relief, and the payment was legitimate household expenditure. Critics counter that the royal household’s use of public-associated funds demands stricter oversight.

No criminal implications arise from Giannelloni’s claims, as the massage was described as professional and consensual. However, the story amplifies existing scrutiny of Andrew’s lifestyle and associations. His 2019 Newsnight interview, intended to clear his name regarding Epstein allegations, instead intensified backlash. Subsequent settlements and loss of military titles underscored the damage.

For the royal family, this adds another layer to a difficult period. Recent events, including arrests and health challenges among members, have tested unity. The Palace maintains focus on current duties while historical claims resurface periodically.

Giannelloni, now based outside the UK, provided documentation to support her account, including the invoice and cheque details. She emphasized the encounter was professional and without incident beyond the awkward nudity. Her motivation for speaking out appears tied to renewed media interest in Epstein networks.

As investigations into related financial and ethical matters continue, this anecdote serves as a reminder of how past personal choices can reverberate. The £75 Coutts cheque, once a routine transaction, now symbolizes broader questions about privilege, propriety, and transparency in royal life. Whether it prompts further disclosure or fades as another footnote remains to be seen, but it undeniably keeps Andrew’s controversies in the spotlight.