PR crisis consultant Mark Borkowski says Prince William and Kate face the question of “how do they establish the integrity of the royal family?” following Prince Andrew’s arrest on suspicion of misconduct
“The heavy weight of this burden on the royal family’s reputation lies with William and Kate”(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
The Prince and Princess of Wales will face the challenge of restoring the “integrity of the royal family ” damaged by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, according to a PR expert.
William and Kate, as the future figureheads of the monarchy, will in the years ahead need to outline their vision for the institution, now embroiled in crisis following the Epstein scandal that festered for years and ultimately led to Andrew’s arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Public relations and crisis consultant Mark Borkowski said the couple were confronted with the question of “how do they establish the integrity of the royal family?”
David Dimbleby has said some members of the monarchy have a sense of entitlement (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
He added: “Really, what do William and Kate do? What do their generation do with the crown, with all its soft power, its affairs of state, it’s beginning to feel a little bit like a European monarchy.
“The pressure on William to communicate what the royal family is going to be over the next 50 years falls squarely on his shoulders. The heavy weight of this burden on the royal family’s reputation lies with William and Kate and what they’re going to do.”
William has previously stated “change is on my agenda” when he ascends to the throne, but he may be compelled to open himself and the monarchy up to greater scrutiny as long-established attitudes towards the royal family continue to fade. The couple have remained firmly aligned with the King’s moves to distance the royal family from Andrew, with Charles initially removing his brother’s titles last year before delivering an unequivocal statement mere hours following his arrest on Thursday, declaring “the law must take its course”.
The royal family on the Buckingham Palace balcony during Trooping the Colour(Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
Public sentiment carries immense weight, as the monarchy’s legitimacy ultimately rests upon the backing and favour of everyday citizens. The reverence shown towards royals, who reside in grand estates, are driven to engagements and possess substantial personal wealth, has endured for generations and arguably contributes to their continuation.
Broadcaster David Dimbleby, who recently fronted the BBC documentary series What’s the Monarchy For? remarked about certain royals: “Well they behave like people who are spoiled by entitlement.”
During an appearance on BBC Radio 4’s World At One programme on Friday, he continued: “Not all of them, Princess Anne, a paragon of virtue, wonderful, it’s not universal.” He added: “But they’re lost in that world, nobody’s saying ‘come on pull yourselves together, do this, do that’.”
Recent developments could prompt MPs and peers to formally examine the matters surrounding Andrew’s association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Labour peer Lord Foulkes told the World at One: “I think there is now a clear expectation that there ought to be much more scrutiny.”
The politician revealed he has reached out to MP Liam Byrne, chairman of the Business and Trade Commons Select Committee, to “look” into Andrew’s work as a trade envoy, though he acknowledged this may prove challenging now the police are investigating.