After all these years of scandal, you’d think Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor would know how best to respond by now. But after the latest tranche of Epstein files was released on Friday, did he keep a low profile to ensure the scandalous photos and emails didn’t get any more oxygen? No.
He fanned the flames by continuing his favourite pastime of horse riding through the Windsor Estate, and even had the gall to wave and smile to members of the public when behind the wheel of his Range Rover. This image, of a smiling former duke showing no contrition despite the serious allegations made against him, infuriated the Palace and prompted a new sense of urgency to banish him to Sandringham.
Those working for the royal household were exasperated, how could Andrew be so ignorant to public interest and anger to the Epstein files that he felt it was appropriate to be pictured in public?
“How could he be so stupid? It looks appalling,” one insider said. But another simply rolled their eyes and said his lack of humility isn’t surprising, suggesting that even now, Andrew struggles to grasp the severity of the situation.
But unlike during previous chapters of the siege of Royal Lodge, there were no rows between Andrew and his brother, the king, or the team of staffers representing him, as the disgraced former prince had no choice but to relent to pressure.
The move was only brought forward by just over a week, so there wasn’t much Andrew could do.
Now, he prepares for a new life in royal exile, away from the rest of the Royal Family and prying eyes.
It is hoped he will hunker down at his late father’s former home and avoid being snapped on his brief trips to Royal Lodge to gather up the remainder of his belongings.
Andrew’s move is another crucial step ticked off for the Palace, after he was stripped of his remaining royal titles last autumn in a bid to distance the Firm from the ongoing scandals.
It is hoped that another example of firm action will help bring the story to an end and move the focus back onto the working members, whose only option is to ‘keep calm and carry on’.
Some senior royals have expressed concern for Andrew’s welfare and are mindful that, although he is no longer a prince by title, he remains a member of the Royal Family.
Perhaps that is why the King has offered to pay for Andrew’s new living arrangements himself, from his own personal finances.
But there is no denying that it is a scandal that just isn’t going away. The Palace and the King have taken action; however, it won’t be enough to stop new Epstein revelations from haunting Andrew and the wider family.
‘ 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 ’
