Since Andrew’s spiral from bachelor prince to sexual assault allegations, his past has been investigated. Here’s what we know about the prince, from his upbringing and allegedly being the queen’s favourite child, to the various controversies that have followed him.

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1. He was a naughty child

The Sun reports that a biography on Prince Andrew revealed he was a “naughty” child growing up. In Ingrid Seward’s book, My Husband and I: The Inside Story of 70 Years of the Royal Marriage, she claims when Andrew was five, he used to kick at the dogs and taunt guardsmen.

2. Royal ambitions

The Express reported that, according to royal biographer Tom Bower, Prince Charles felt those closest to him – including Prince Andrew – were conspiring to keep him from the throne. Bower claimed Charles thought Andrew and Edward were plotting his “downfall”. It was believed that Andrew and Princess Diana also shared a good relationship.

E! Online reports that many believed Diana and Andrew would date when Diana first met the royal family, as they were closer in age than she and Charles, and shared more common interests.

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3. The Diana relationship

Biographer Andrew Morton wrote in his book Diana: Her True Story in Her Own Words that, although many believed the princess and Andrew had a good relationship, she believed that there was “something troubling him”. She described him as “being squashed by his family the whole time” and said he was dismissed as an idiot but was “shrewd and astute”.

4. The American love

It has been widely reported that Andrew’s first love was American actress Koo Stark. The couple apparently met in 1981 and were together for 18 months before splitting. The relationship appeared to be serious and Stark even met the royal family, including the queen.

But when it was revealed she had starred in a nude scene in a film called Emily, the prince had to break ties with her. Town and Country reports the queen actually liked Stark, but the actress herself admitted she and Andrew come from “different worlds”.

5. Above the law

In 2002, it was widely reported that Prince Andrew was let off the hook after being caught speeding. New Zealand Herald reported the royal was driving 96km/h (60mph) in a 64km/h (40mph) zone near London’s Heathrow Airport. He was on his way to a golf championship, and it’s believed when the police officer was told it was Andrew in the car, he was let off.

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6. Airport drama

In 2005, The Sydney Morning Herald reported Andrew was stopped from boarding a Qantas flight to New Zealand after he refused to be screened by guards at Melbourne Airport. He eventually agreed to a scan, which apparently took “10 seconds”. The publication also reported security officials were surprised by the prince’s stance, considering the importance of screening after the London bombings on July 7, 2005.

7. Only private, thanks

Express reports the prince became known as “Air Miles Andy” for using the royal helicopter to attend social events instead of official royal engagements. It was reported he used the helicopter to attend golf tournaments and a football match.

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8. The party prince

Another nickname has followed Andrew over the years: Randy Andy, the party prince. The Guardian reports Andrew was known for always being snapped with different women by his side, and was also referred to as the bachelor prince before getting married.