It is hard to imagine that any news could move the monarch’s birthday into second place on the royal news agenda, but, as King Charles marks his 77th birthday today, that is exactly what has happened. After emails from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate, which appear to confirm that the late Virginia Giuffre was pictured with the disgraced ex-Duke, emerged, Andrew’s fervent denial that he could not recall meeting the then-17-year-old has seemingly crumbled.
His inability to admit any element of remorse for having been associated with a monster such as Epstein for so many years, and to have gone on to lie about it so publicly, has produced one of, if not the worst, royal scandal for generations.
The weight of the issue has forced the King – a man intent on harmony, friendship and faith – to take the most extreme measures and strip his younger brother of his last remaining royal clutchings. He has done as he must, but there is surely only one thing he will be hoping for as he marks this latest milestone.
Every joy and heartbreak of King Charles’s life has been splashed for the world to gobble up. From Prince to King, he has overcome untold challenges under the intense spotlight of public scrutiny, and that focus remains just as strong today… perhaps even stronger.
While the first year of his reign was spent in relative peace as he placated any fears that he would be a meddlesome monarch, he did still have to battle the missiles his “darling boy” fired over from Stateside using every medium possible.
Recent times have certainly been rockier, not least because he is still undergoing treatment for cancer. While Harry and Meghan have largely fallen into line and have stopped their vitriolic attacks, Andrew’s scandal will have certainly caused a few headaches. Not least of all for his elder brother.
Despite being the oldest royal to succeed to the throne, the King’s approach has been in keeping with modern Britain. It’s realistic, warm, approachable and less shackled by the late Queen’s old-fashioned upbringing. While his reign will never reach the lofty heights of his mother’s, his modern outlook will continue to serve him well.
Much like his great-great-grandfather, King Edward VII, his legacy will undoubtedly be one that views him as a friend to the people; a monarch who is immensely well-liked for his natural abilities, tact and the way he has never been afraid to voice his opinion on challenging and politically sensitive subjects.
But also one who will act when times are tough. He has made it clear that he will not engage in a war of words with his youngest son, but that he wishes him and his young family well. He has not allowed his brother to continue to use his royal titles and live in a huge private home nearly rent-free after such damaging and shocking claims have emerged. However, he has not cast his brother off entirely into the darkness as he will be housed away from the public gaze in Norfolk.
He has, and continues to prove, that his approach is always guided by kindness, but that when more direct measures are needed, he is not afraid to act, regardless of which family member is involved.
As he continues to approach his eighth decade, there is surely only one thing the King can be longing for. That this ugly chapter in the Royal Family’s history can be closed once and for all, and for the focus to be entirely shifted back onto the monarchy’s crucial work.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.express.co.uk ’
