King Charles urged to follow in Queen Elizabeth II's decisive footsteps with necessary move over Andrew crisis
The royal family is under immense pressureKing Charles has been urged to follow in his late mother’s footsteps when it comes to dealing with the scandal surrounding his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Last week, Buckingham Palace issued a statement on the scrutiny surrounding the former Duke of York, 65, and his links to Jeffrey Epstein.
The statement detailed King Charles’ stance on his brother’s scandal.
For years, Andrew has faced scrutiny over his ties to late convicted sex offender Epstein. He has also faced allegations of sexual assault, which he has always vehemently denied.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor scandal
Royal commentator Roya Nikkhah has now advised the king to take a leaf out of his late mother’s book when it comes to addressing scandal.
The royal family faces immense pressure amid the scandal surrounding Andrew.
In January, 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.
Alleged emails between Andrew and Epstein have also emerged within the files. Some allegedly show Andrew sharing confidential information with Epstein in 2010, including about his official royal visits overseas.
During this time, Andrew acted as trade envoy. Under official guidance, trade envoys have a duty of confidentiality over sensitive, commercial, or political information about their official visits.
A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said last week: “We can confirm receipt of this report and are assessing the information in line with our established procedures.”
Royal Insider contacted representatives for Andrew for comment on the files.
Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. Being named or pictured among the Epstein files is not an indication of wrongdoing.
King Charles takes action over Andrew
However, while the king had Andrew’s royal titles and honours removed last year as well as having his brother leave his sprawling Windsor home Royal Lodge, it seems it isn’t enough.
The former prince faces calls to appear for questioning over his association with the disgraced financier, something he has yet to agree to.
The palace recently said that King Charles stands “ready to support” police if an investigation takes place.
Allegations against Andrew
For years, Andrew has faced scrutiny. In his BBC Newsnight interview in 2019, Andrew claimed he cut contact with the disgraced financier in late 2010 following Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
However, emails that emerged last year appeared to show Andrew allegedly in contact with Epstein in early 2011.
In times of national crisis, Queen Elizabeth understood speaking to us was a reassuring salve.
Andrew has also faced allegations of sexual assault. The late Virginia Giuffre alleged she was made to have sex with Andrew on three separate occasions when she was 17 after being trafficked by Epstein.
Andrew has always vehemently denied the allegations against him. The royal reached an out-of-court financial settlement with Ms Giuffre in 2022, which contained no admission of liability.
However, following the recent release of Epstein files and allegations against the former prince, Andrew faces calls to speak out about his ties to Epstein.
King Charles urged to ‘act like Queen Elizabeth II’ with Andrew scandal
Now, royal commentator Roya Nikkhah has urged King Charles to act like his late mother amid the crisis. She said the recent palace statement have not “quelled disquiet”.
Writing in The Times, Nikkhah said: “Hearing from the monarch in personal, spoken words, rather than Palace statements, would redress that. In times of national crisis, Queen Elizabeth understood speaking to us was a reassuring salve.
Read more: How King Charles ‘put William in his place’ over Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor scandal
“It was a card she rarely played, but after the death of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997 and as the Covid pandemic struck in in 2020, her televised addresses settled a rattled public.”
She added: “A similar message from Charles, with input from William, acknowledging what has happened, addressing the challenges facing the monarchy, telling us the royal family understands the gravity of the situation, would go a long way.”
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