With Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor now living in exile, the Firm are trying to rebuild their trust with the public after the disgraced royal’s years of scandals
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s years of scandals have greatly impacted the Firm(Image: Getty Images)
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s years of scandals over his connection with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have cost him a lot. They have cost him his titles, patronages, his Royal Lodge home, and even the relationships with many members of his family.
And while the ongoing Epstein scandal continues to unearth more allegations against the former prince, he is not the only person who has been brought down by the seemingly endless list of indiscretions. For several years, royal fans and commentators alike have demanded answers from the Firm to deal with the Andrew problem, jeopardising the reputation of the Royal Family as calls went unanswered.
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The former prince Andrew has lost his titles, home and relationships over the Epstein scandal(Image: AP)
However, when King Charles took decisive action last October to strip Andrew of his titles, including that of Prince, and evict him from the Royal Lodge, many were thrilled that the monarch had stepped up and acknowledged the calls from the public to banish the disgraced royal.
Charles also reportedly had the support of other senior royals, such as Queen Camilla and Prince William, when deciding to strip Andrew of his titles, as they fought to protect the reputation of the Firm.
While Andrew is now largely out of sight for both the Royal Family and the public, he is not yet out of mind. As documents continue to emerge from the latest release of the Epstein files, it seems Andrew’s name remains in the headlines as many call for further action against the former prince.
With Andrew’s connection to Epstein dating back well over a decade, some senior members of the Firm have been caught in the crossfire of the scandal, with hecklers demanding answers from the Royal Family while they were out fulfilling their royal duties at various engagements. If you can’t see the poll, click here.
Just last week while on a walkabout through a village in Essex after visiting a 15-century pub, a man in the crowd shouted as the King was near him: “Charles, Charles, have you pressurised the police to start investigating Andrew?” Charles ignored the question and kept walking, and the man was escorted away by police.
The day before Charles was confronted by the heckler, Queen Camilla also dodged a question about Andrew and Epstein while at a royal engagement at a primary school in London.
As Camilla got out of her car after arriving at Christ Church CE Primary School in Camden on Wednesday to open a library, she was challenged by a reporter who asked: “Good morning, Your Majesty. Will the Royal Family help the Epstein investigation? Do you have a message for Epstein’s victims, Your Majesty?” The Queen did not reply to the questions and walked straight into the primary school building.
Charles was recently questioned about the Andrew scandal while on a royal outing(Image: PA)
Even Andrew’s brother Prince Edward, who carries out a smaller number of royal engagements, was forced to confront questions about the scandal as he appeared at the World Governments Summit in Dubai last week.
Edward was asked “how are you coping” amid the release of the new files. And Edward said: “Well, with the best will in the world, I’m not sure this is the audience that is probably the least bit interested in that. ‘They all came here to listen to education, solving the future, but no, I think it’s all really important to always remember the victims and who are the victims in all this? A lot of victims in this.”
With members of the Royal Family being questioned about the scandal constantly while fulfilling their royal duties, many would believe that the allegations against Andrew have impacted the reputation of the Firm, despite the King’s hard line against his brother to strip him of his titles. Nevertheless, the Royal Family remains an important institution, with Firm fans all over the world praising how the monarch has dealt with such an extraordinary scandal.