Nicholas George Brandram, a descendant of European royal families and placed 525th in line to the British throne in 2020, has recently come under renewed police scrutiny in connection to a high-profile 2017 assault case known as the “Putney Pusher” incident.

Brandram, born on April 23, 1982, comes from a lineage linked to many European dynasties. His grandmother, Princess Katherine of Greece and Denmark, was the youngest child of King Constantine I of Greece and Princess Sophia of Prussia. Katherine was also a first cousin of the late Duke of Edinburgh. She married Major Richard Brandram in Athens in 1947, an event widely reported due to their royal associations. Nicholas Brandram’s father, Paul Brandram, who worked in marine insurance, passed away in 2020. When Paul married Jennifer, Brandram’s mother, in 1975, Constantine II, the exiled King of Greece, acted as best man, with the Duke and Duchess of Kent also in attendance.

Brandram served as a Guards officer at Sandhurst, where he was noted for a reserved demeanor and close connections, though he rarely mentioned his royal heritage.

The “Putney Pusher” case involves an incident on May 5, 2017, at approximately 7:40 a.m., when a 33-year-old woman crossing Putney Bridge was forcefully pushed by a jogger, causing her to fall dangerously close to an oncoming double-decker bus. Thanks to rapid driver response, the woman survived with minor injuries. The assailant initially fled the scene but returned briefly while paramedics were attending to the victim, ignoring her attempts to engage with him.

Police released CCTV footage three months later, sparking widespread public interest. Early arrests included a 41-year-old American investment banker, later cleared after confirming he was out of the country at the time, and another man who was released without charge. The initial investigation was closed in June 2018.

Earlier this year, the Metropolitan Police reopened the inquiry after receiving new information, leading to Brandram's arrest. While in custody, he was also questioned on suspicion of possessing Class A and Class B drugs. He has since been released under investigation, a status allowing continued inquiry without bail conditions or a fixed return date.

Brandram’s family has criticized the police response, stating he endured months of public suspicion despite what they say was a lack of supporting evidence. They accuse the Met of prematurely publicizing his involvement and delaying the clearing of his name. Conversely, the Met Police maintain that the investigation remains active, citing the necessity of extensive forensic analysis and the complexity of the case. Chief Superintendent Dan Knowles, overseeing policing in southwest London, emphasized that inquiries often take months due to outstanding evidence that requires detailed examination.

Brandram’s sister, Alexia, revealed that her brother and his legal team have offered to privately fund a DNA test to expedite the investigation, prompting further speculation about the nature of the forensic evidence collected.

Distinctive physical characteristics have also been highlighted in the dispute over Brandram's involvement. Police initially described the suspect as a white male in his early to mid-30s with brown eyes and short brown hair. Brandram’s family points to his distinctive blue eyes as a discrepancy that they say supports his innocence. The case remains open as detectives continue their inquiries.