'Nightmare' the royal family could face as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor finally vacates Royal Lodge
Andrew has faced calls to appear before US Congress over his ties to EpsteinAs Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor leaves Royal Lodge, a royal commentator has weighed in on what the royal family could face next amid the scandal.
Andrew, 65, vacated his Windsor property this week. In October last year, Buckingham Palace announced that Andrew would leave his Windsor property amid growing scrutiny. He also had his remaining royal titles and honours removed at the time.
His exit from Royal Lodge comes amid even more scrutiny against Andrew over his ties to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He had lived at the 30-room property in Windsor Great Park since 2004.
Now, one royal commentator has said the royal family could face a “nightmare” if Andrew agrees to do one thing amid the scandal.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor leaves Royal Lodge
On Tuesday, reports confirmed that Andrew had left Royal Lodge this week.
A source reportedly told The Sun: “He had planned to cling on at Royal Lodge a little longer but with the latest batch of Epstein files it was made clear to him that it was time to go.
“Leaving was so humiliating for him that he chose to do it under the cover of darkness.”
Last week, the US Department of Justice released more than three million files relating to Epstein and his crimes.
However no one knows where this will end and much more is to come.
Within these files, images appeared to show Andrew kneeling on all fours over an unidentified woman lying on the ground.
No context has been supplied for the images. It’s also unclear when and where they were taken.
Following the release of the files, a second woman has come forward. She has alleged she was sent to the UK by Epstein for a sexual encounter with Andrew. This allegedly happened at Royal Lodge in 2010.
We contacted representatives for Andrew for comment on these allegations.
‘The palace does not know what is coming next’
Amid the scandal, some MPs have called for Andrew to appear before US Congress for questioning over his ties to Epstein.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told reporters recently: “In terms of testifying, I have always said anybody who has got information should be prepared to share that information in whatever form they are asked to do that. You can’t be victim-centred if you’re not prepared to do that.”
According to Richard Fitzwilliams, if Andrew was to appear before US Congress for questioning, it could spell a “nightmare” for the monarchy.
He told Royal Insider: “If Andrew were to testify before Congress it might be useful to substitute a ventriloquist’s dummy and prime it to prevent error! It could be an absolute nightmare for the royal family.”
Royal commentator Mr Fitzwilliams also predicted that more scandal will come. He added: “The palace does not know what is coming next. The shamelessly bovine and callous attitude of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and the recent emails and photographs have been deeply embarrassing for the royal family.
“Prince Edward’s ‘remember the victims’ speech is highly significant and the Queen and Duchess of Edinburgh’s work to help victims of abuse should also be remembered.
“However no one knows where this will end and much more is to come.”
The Andrew and Epstein scandal
Andrew has faced scrutiny over his association with Epstein for years.
In his BBC Newsnight interview in 2019, Andrew claimed he cut contact with the disgraced financier in late 2010. This came after Epstein’s 2008 conviction of two state prostitution charges.
However, emails that emerged last year appeared to show Andrew allegedly in contact with Epstein in early 2011.
In addition, Virginia Giuffre alleged she was made to sleep with Andrew on three separate occasions when she was 17 after being trafficked by Epstein.
Andrew has repeatedly denied these allegations.
Read more: Princess Anne’s ‘true feelings’ over King Charles’ ‘treatment’ of brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
The latest release of files has only intensified scrutiny against the former prince.
Andrew has always vehemently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. Being named or pictured among the Epstein files is not an indication of wrongdoing.
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