Prince William and King Charles urged to make 'television address' over Andrew and Epstein scandal
Andrew is living in royal exile after having his titles strippedKing Charles and Prince William have been urged to talk about the Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Epstein scandal, possibly in a TV address.
In recent weeks, Andrew, 65, has been hit with more damning allegations surrounding his links to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
On January 30, the US Department of Justice released more than three million files relating to Epstein and his crimes. Within these files, images appeared to show Andrew kneeling on all fours over an unidentified female lying on the ground. No context has been supplied for the images. It’s also unclear when and where they were taken.
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.
King Charles and Prince William heckled over Andrew scandal
Over the last few days, the royals have been heckled in the streets about Andrew and his links to Epstein.
Scrutiny surrounding Andrew’s association with Epstein has been ongoing for years. The former prince has also been accused of sexual assault.
The late Virginia Giuffre alleged she was forced to sleep with Andrew on three occasions when she was 17 after being trafficked by Epstein.
Andrew has always vehemently denied the allegations.
On February 9, the king was heckled during an engagement in Clitheroe, Lancashire.
As he greeted the crowds, one spectator shouted: “How long have you known about Andrew and Epstein?”
The king ignored the question, though the spectator was booed and told to “shut up” by other well-wishers.
On February 10, during his royal trip to Saudi Arabia, William was asked about his uncle’s scandal, too.
“Sir, to what extent do you think the royal family has done enough around the Andrew and Epstein scandal?” one reporter asked. Like his father, William ignored the question.
However, there are now concerns that the more the royals ignore questions about Andrew, the more it’ll damage the monarchy.
Buckingham Palace statement
Although the royals haven’t spoken directly, statements have been issued by both Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace.
Buckingham Palace’s statement read this week: “The king has made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct.
“While the specific claims in question are for Mr Mountbatten-Windsor to address, if we are approached by Thames Valley Police we stand ready to support them as you would expect.
“As was previously stated, Their Majesties’ thoughts and sympathies have been, and remain with, the victims of any and all forms of abuse.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Prince William and Princess Catherine said that “the Prince and Princess of Wales have been deeply concerned by the continuing revelations. Their thoughts remain focused on the victims”.
Royals urged to address Andrew scandal on TV
Now, a royal author has urged the king and/or Prince William to address the Andrew and Epstein scandal in a TV address. This is to ensure bad feelings towards the monarchy don’t rise.
Speaking to The Times about Andrew, royal commentator and author Robert Jobson claimed that the younger generation of Brits find the former Duke of York “abhorrent”.
They need to put clear water between themselves and Andrew.
“Younger people just don’t have the same deference towards the monarchy and so are asking why he is being protected, which then leads to arguments about the amount of money the monarchy costs, and broader questions about inherited power and elite impunity,” he said.
“At some point, they are going to have to address this and not just with palace aides through PR speak, but through, for example, a television address where they make the very strong case that they don’t condone any of this behaviour. They need to put clear water between themselves and Andrew,” he added.
Brits would support move condemning Andrew
A new poll, conducted by Ipsos, has found that 90% of Brits supported the king stripping Andrew of his titles last October.
In November, 75% of Brits said that Andrew should testify before the US Congress.
However, as yet, nothing has come of this. Andrew has been downsized from his Windsor property, Royal Lodge, to a smaller property on the Sandringham Estate.
Andrew’s scandal has had a detrimental effect on the royal family as a whole. Graham Smith, lead campaigner for anti-monarchy group Republic, explained in his chat with The Times.
“The truth is that if one email comes out suggesting William and Charles were fully aware of what was happening 15 years ago, then it is game over,” he said.
Read more: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s new Sandringham neighbours ‘make scathing comments about royal’
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