Prince Andrew should “rightly fear the day that William becomes king,” a royal commentator has claimed.
The Duke of York, 65, has been embroiled in scandal for many years now. He stepped back from royal duties in late 2019 amid his association with late convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.
In early 2022, Andrew faced more scandal when he settled a US civil case with Virginia Giuffre, an alleged victim of Epstein’s, out of court for an undisclosed sum after she accused the prince of sexual assault when she was 17. The duke has always denied the allegations.
That year, Andrew lost his military titles and royal patronages and, to this day, doesn’t have a public royal role.
Prince Andrew scandals
Recently, Andrew has been at the centre of more headlines over his links to Epstein – who died by suicide in his prison cell in New York in August 2019 after he was arrested on sex trafficking charges.
In recent days, a 2011 email has emerged which appears to show Prince Andrew allegedly voicing concern for Epstein. It was reportedly sent from Prince Andrew’s email just one day after the now infamous photo, appearing to show the royal with Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted associate of Epstein, and Virginia Giuffre in 2001, emerged for the first time.
The duke allegedly wrote in the email to Epstein, as reported by MailOnline: “I’m just as concerned for you! Don’t worry about me! It would seem we are in this together and will have to rise above it. Otherwise keep in close touch, and we’ll play some more soon.”
The email appears to contradict Prince Andrew’s comments in his November 2019 interview with BBC Newsnight, which was about his ties to Epstein and the sexual assault allegations against him.
Andrew had claimed that he had cut all ties with Epstein during a visit to New York in 2010.
William to bring ‘change’ as king
Amid all the scandal, Prince Andrew has kept a low profile. Reports claim he spends most of his days at his home, Royal Lodge, in Windsor.
He has been seen at some family events, including the Duchess of Kent’s funeral last month. However, when it comes to big public events, the duke remains mainly out of sight.
Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson has also faced scrutiny in recent months. Last month, an email emerged from 2011, in which she allegedly called Epstein a “supreme friend” despite weeks earlier publicly vowing to cut ties with him.
Banishing or humiliating Andrew and Fergie would cause the sisters further hurt.
Now, according to royal commentator Jennie Bond, things may change even more when Prince William becomes king.
William is heir to the throne, and has already voiced his desire to make changes to the monarchy in the future.
In a recent appearance on Eugene Levy’s Apple TV+ series, The Reluctant Traveler, William said: “I think it’s safe to say that change is on my agenda. Change for good, and I embrace that and I enjoy that change. I don’t fear it.”
Andrew ‘should fear’ Prince William becoming king
Writing for The i Paper, Jennie said William could “wield the axe” when it comes to excluding Andrew and Sarah from public life.
However, he could face a hurdle when it comes to the couple’s daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, who William shares a close bond with.
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Jennie wrote: “Banishing or humiliating Andrew and Fergie would cause the sisters further hurt. And that’s a tough nut for William to crack.”
She added: “Moreover, this avaricious and, it appears, mendacious couple should rightly fear the day that William becomes king.”
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