Things are only getting worse for Prince Andrew. The Prince of York was once able to escape the scandals that often embroiled his ex-wife, Sarah “Fergie” Ferguson. Now, the prince is paying for past decisions.
Following the suicide of financier and convicted sex offender, Jeffery Epstein –questions arose about Prince Andrew’s close personal relationship with him. Though the prince initially remained fairly quiet about Epstein — he was forced to speak when one of Epstein’s alleged victims, Virginia Roberts, accused the prince of abusing her.
Prince Andrew has fiercely denied these allegations. “I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein,” he said in a statement. “His suicide has left many unanswered questions, particularly for his victims, and I deeply sympathise with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure.”
However, a disastrous interview with BBC Newsnight has stripped the prince of his royal status and public image.
Inside Prince Andrew’s disastrous BBC ‘Newsnight’ interview
Instead of clearing his name — the prince came off as boastful and arrogant in his BBC interview. Royal fans were horrified when Prince Andrew claimed that he did not regret his relationship with Epstein. He remained close to him following his 2008 sex offender conviction.
The fallout has been so bad that the prince now stepped away from royal life completely. “It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family’s work and the valuable work going on in the many organisations and charities that I am proud to support,” he said in a statement. “Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission.”
Queen Elizabeth just canceled Prince Andrew’s 60th birthday party
Following this PR disaster and Prince Andrew’s retreat from the spotlight — Queen Elizabeth has also canceled her second-born son’s 60th birthday celebration.
The massive celebration was set to take place in February. It was supposed to highlight the prince’s charities. However, he has stepped away from all of his charity organizations. Instead, the prince will have small family dinner to mark his 60th year.
Is Queen Elizabeth protecting Prince Andrew?
The queen certainly isn’t pleased by this recent turn of events with Prince Andrew. Though she is “privately supportive” of her son. “The Queen did not give her approval for the BBC Nightnews interview, ” the Times is reporting.
Still — it’s widely known that Queen Elizabeth has a special palce in her heart for Pince Andrew. “When Prince Charles and Princess Anne were born, the Queen wasn’t able to spend the time with them that she would have wished to,” royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told CNN. “However, in 1960, when Andrew was born, the Queen had been on the throne for eight years and didn’t have to leave the toddler to tour the Commonwealth for months. She was able to give him more attention and Andrew was someone with whom she’s had a particular affinity.”
This is a huge mess.
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