Over the years there have been numerous scandals surrounding the royal family and although their strategy of ‘never complain, never explain’ once worked, things have changed. The personal scandals – such as Prince Edward dramatically quitting the Royal Marines, or storming out of a press conference for the ill-fated television programme It’s a Royal Knockout that so horrified the late Queen Mother – are the ones that generate the biggest tabloid furore.
The hacked telephone calls between Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, and the late Princess of Wales and James Gilbey, were even more sensational; and of course there was Diana’s Newsnight interview with Martin Bashir. Fergie’s clandestine toe-sucking photographs and ‘fake sheikh’ sting (when she offered an introduction to her ex-husband for cash), and Prince Harry’s tell-all book Spare all caused outrage.
But nothing compares to the fallout from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted paedophile, whom he met in the early 1990s. When the then Duke of York was appointed special representative for international trade and investment in 2001 he became even more useful to the financier. Epstein cemented his friendship with Andrew and, with remarkable speed, secured invitations to royal residences and Princess Beatrice’s 18th birthday ball in 2006.
An extraordinary statement from the King on 9 February came in the wake of the particularly damaging publication of more than three million Epstein files by the US Department of Justice. Earlier that day, while Prince William was en route to Saudi Arabia for a three-day visit at the request of the British government, his spokesman briefed journalists waiting for him to arrive in Riyadh.
‘I can confirm that the Prince and Princess of Wales have been deeply concerned by the continuing revelations,’ he said, ‘Their thoughts remain focused on the victims.’
Buckingham Palace said they were ready to support Thames Valley Police in any investigation. ‘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. As was previously stated, Their Majesties’ thoughts and sympathies have been, and remain with, the victims of any and all forms of abuse.’
It is unlikely the allegations against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor will ever go away. He has been removed from public life, had every title and honour stripped away from him and – at the beginning of last month – left Royal Lodge under cover of darkness. He is in temporary residence at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate before moving to a refurbished farmhouse nearby. The scandal continues to hound not only Mountbatten-Windsor himself, but other members of the royal family too.
Even the late Queen has come in for criticism for her apparent ignorance of what her ‘favourite’ son had been up to. The monarch, in fragile health during her final years, was not in the habit of interfering with her family’s lives. Andrew seemingly failed to confide in her.
Currently the popular view is that it is time for the King to persuade his brother to speak to the authorities. Until that happens Andrew will continue to do untold damage to the institution of monarchy.
