While Prince Harry has kept quiet on the royal scandals emerging from the Epstein files, he may need to break this for upcoming trips.Mitya Underwood and Eilidh Farquhar Trainee Trends, Showbiz and Lifestyle Writer
20:19, 13 Mar 2026
In the weeks following Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest, Prince Harry has remained silent on the matter.(Image: Hannah McKay/Getty Images)
As a variety of scandals emerging from the Jeffrey Epstein files have taken a hit to the royal family’s image, the biggest blow was Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s recent arrest. While King Charles and Prince William have issued statements surrounding this incident, both are also being seen to try and create as much distance as possible.
However, the royal family member who has been the most successful in this is Prince Harry, who hasn’t said anything publicly about his disgraced uncle yet. However, this could be about to change as the Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan Markle are set to visit Australia next month.
While the couple are reported to be going Down Under for a series of “private, business and philanthropic engagements”, many are starting to question if the silent stance might change. While Harry and Meghan stepped back from being working royals in 2020, many are intrigued to hear what they have to say about the arrest.
Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on February 19. While the royal family will most likely hope the recent scandal will disappear, a PR expert believes that this is very unlikely to happen in the coming weeks as Andrew is still under investigation by Thames Valley Police.
PR expert and talent manager Dermot McNamara told the Mirror that while Harry has a good reason for keeping quiet on the subject, he is now in a difficult situation. He said: “The whole world is speculating on his family in some of the most awful context regarding Epstein.
“Harry wasn’t implicated but he’s probably still going to have to answer questions about it all. Whilst he probably doesn’t want to comment and be dragged into the Andrew-Epstein situation, he also doesn’t want to be seen as not commenting, so he’s in a very difficult position.
Prince Harry is likely to be questioned on his thoughts on the scandals while in Austrailia next month.(Image: Toby Melville/Getty Images)
“He probably knows it would be absolutely reckless to say anything, so he’s likely thinking the best thing to do is say nothing at all, while also letting his brother and father know that he is there, and they can support the family, but not to his own detriment.”
Last month, Buckingham Palace released a statement from King Charles, which said: “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.”
He also added on the day of Andrew’s arrest that the “law must take its course” and would help the authorities in any way they needed. While Andrew was held in custody in a Norfolk police station for 11 hours, his home on the Sandringham Estate was investigated, with his old residence in Windsor, the Royal Lodge, also being searched.
Prince William and Kate Middleton also shared their concern when new information emerged from the US Department of Justice, adding that they were “focused on the victims”. The couple were reportedly the driving force behind Andrew having his titles and honours removed last year.
However, despite these statements being released, this has not stopped people from throwing questions at William about his uncle. During a visit to a youth football training session while in Saudi Arabia, one reporter shouted: “Sir, to what extent do you think the Royal Family have done enough around the Andrew-Epstein issue?”
At the time it appeared as though William did not hear the question and as a result did not respond, despite it being shouted at him twice.
McNamara believes that Harry and Meghan are likely to receive the same sort of treatment when they are in Australia next month. However, while Harry has been outspoken about his own experiences in the royal family, the expert thinks he will be less likely to provide input on Andrew’s situation.
He explained: “He’s been honest in the past about his own experiences in the family in Spare, for example, but the current crisis involves other people and is about a highly sensitive issue which needs to be treated with caution and care.
“I think Harry was justified in talking about his own experiences, I’m sure there was a lot he left unsaid, as well as what he said publicly. In terms of he and William’s relationship, there has always been a power imbalance there, because William is next in line for the throne, and Harry is the spare.”
McNamara added: “I think Harry’s actions may have recalibrated their relationship, even though it has been embarrassing for William at times. Sometimes the only way to recalibrate an imbalance is to slightly stand up to what’s going on in a situation and say how you feel about it.”