On Wednesday, Jan. 3, documents from Ghislaine Maxwell’s court case were released and approximately 170 people associated with the late sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, were named in those files. As expected, Prince Andrew’s name was listed and now, King Charles III starts 2024 with another family controversy.
This royal mention in the court documents was of no surprise to anyone at the palace, and it’s likely why royal fans suddenly saw Andrew’s ex-wife and BFF Sarah Ferguson make an appearance at the Christmas Day walk. It was their way of showing support for the Duke of York’s constant companion while driving the headlines in a different direction. However, the Epstein global trafficking and sexual abuse case is tragic and disgusting — and the royal family’s unwavering support of Andrew is creating optics that even insiders are questioning.
Royal expert Kinsey Schofield weighed in with her thoughts to GB News during a broadcast on the Epstein case. “I do think that the royal family is going to stand beside him no matter what,” she said. “We saw it not only at Sandringham but remember those clear pictures we saw of Prince Andrew in the car with both the Prince and Princess of Wales on the way to church at Balmoral.” While Andrew has reportedly promised his older brother that “there are no more skeletons in the closet,” it’s perplexing as to why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s punishment seems far worse than for the Duke of York.
Schofield thinks the royal family’s consistent loyalty to Prince Andrew is going to reflect on King Charles’ reign. “It’s not a great look and I do think that you are as strong as your weakest team member and unfortunately he’s their weakest team member, she noted. “But they’re going to stand by him. It’s never complain, never explain. That’s what their strategy is going to be.”
While Andrew has never been convicted of a crime, he did settle a civil sexual abuse case against him for over $15 million, according to The Telegraph. Virginia Giuffre has long maintained that she was abused by Epstein and Maxwell and trafficked to Prince Andrew while she was underage — and the incriminating photo with the royal continues to haunt him, despite his consistent denials.
The royal family hasn’t made any comment about the case — and likely won’t — but King Charles’ insistence on keeping Prince Andrew in the royal fold doesn’t send the right message and even the royal experts are taking note.
Before you go, click here to see celebrities who have opened up about surviving sexual assault.
