Note: Monday was Family Day in Canada, hence the delay in publishing this post.
It looks increasingly likely that there will be a full-blown criminal investigation of Andrew, though the parameters aren’t clear. Certainly, there are serious allegations raised about his decade-long stint as the U.K. trade envoy, more allegations that he passed on government information about British businesses to Jeffrey Epstein, allegations he may have wanted to go into business together, and new revelations about his interactions with women and businessmen.
There’s also more proof that he continued his relationship with Epstein well after he said he’d cut ties in 2010, including keeping Jeffrey Epstein on his Christmas card list. For those wondering how his story has changed, here’s what he said in an official statement released on a Saturday in August 2019 (the 24th, to be precise, two weeks after Epstein was found dead in his New York jail cell), in which he said he saw Epstein “infrequently” and for a “limited time”:
It is apparent to me since the suicide of Mr. Epstein that there has been an immense amount of media speculation about so much in his life. This is particularly the case in relation to my former association or friendship with Mr. Epstein.
Therefore I am eager to clarify the facts to avoid further speculation.
I met Mr. Epstein in 1999. During the time I knew him, I saw him infrequently and probably no more than only once or twice a year. I have stayed in a number of his residences.
At no stage during the limited time I spent with him did I see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to his arrest and conviction.
I have said previously that it was a mistake and an error to see him after his release in 2010 and I can only reiterate my regret that I was mistaken to think that what I thought I knew of him was evidently not the real person, given what we now know. I have tremendous sympathy for all those affected by his actions and behaviour.
His suicide has left many unanswered questions and I acknowledge and sympathise (sic) with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure.
This is a difficult time for everyone involved and I am at a loss to be able to understand or explain Mr. Epstein’s lifestyle. I deplore the exploitation of any human being and would not condone, participate in, or encourage any such behaviour.
ANDREW
Right now, multiple British police forces (seven at last count) are reviewing and/or assessing the information contained within the Epstein files released by the U.S. Department of Justice in regard to the former Prince Andrew. As part of that investigation, Thames Valley Police say they’re talking with specialist Crown prosecutors.
In addition, journalist Richard Palmer reports that the House of Commons Business and Trade select committee could open its own investigation into Andrew’s role as trade envoy, according to an interview its chair gave to BBC Radio.
There’s little hope that Buckingham Palace will step in to stop the multiple investigations as the royal family appears to be leaving Andrew to his fate. Last Monday, the King issued a statement that made that stance clear, including this sentence: “While the specific claims in question are for Mr Mountbatten-Windsor to address, if we are approached by Thames Valley Police we stand ready to support them as you would expect.”
At the same time, there are conflicting reports about which royals paid the multi-million pound settlement to Virginia Giuffre. The vast majority of the funds reportedly came from the late Queen Elizabeth II, but the Sun says some came from Charles while the Times has a denial that Charles helped at all. What isn’t in dispute: Andrew hasn’t repaid any of those loans.
The fallout from the scandal has also hit Sarah Ferguson’s pocketbook. Not only has her career as a children’s and romance author been effectively shelved, but six firms linked to her are being shut in the United Kingdom, according to Companies House information.
ICYMI: There’s now more discussion in the U.K. about what Queen Elizabeth II did and what she could have done after the Andrew-Epstein scandal first burst into the public view 15 years ago. On February 7, I wrote about how the impact of the late monarch’s decisions are being felt now: “Andrew, Epstein, and Elizabeth II: The scandal has been festering since 2011. For 11 years, the Queen did the bare minimum.”
The heads-down work strategy continues for the royals, with the Wales continuing with their usual pattern of work and duties: While William was on his official visit in Saudi Arabia, Kate marked Children’s Mental Health Week by doing crafts and other activities at a school.
And on Valentine’s Day, they released an image taken last year.
On Tuesday, Prince William’s Earthshot Prize announced that the sixth annual ceremony will be held in Mumbai in November. Will William again go solo or will Kate attend? We’ll know more closer to the date.
Princess Anne left the Olympics after a week there to attend the final of the Rugby Six Nations Championship between Scotland and England (her beloved Scottish team won; she’s been their patron since 1986). She really enjoyed herself!
Her brother, Prince Edward, was at the Olympics as patron of the Snowsport federation, and his timing was perfect as he was there to see British athletes win gold in snowboard cross.
On Monday, Anne popped up again in Milan.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source writeroyalty.substack.com ’
