When the Palace issues two press releases within hours of each other, it is always cause for concern. Monday’s dual announcements were a case in point.
Under mounting pressure to speak out following the release of three million more Epstein files by the US Department of Justice which further embroiled the already tarnished Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the Palace acted boldly.
The Prince and Princess of Wales made their first public comment on the scandal just hours before Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles was ready to assist the police with a formal inquiry into claims Mountbatten-Windsor had passed privileged information to Jeffrey Epstein while he was trade envoy to the UK.
The unprecedented statements signalled a panicked Palace in firefighting mode and an institution once again in the spotlight. The Prince of Wales was so concerned that his important three-day visit to Saudi Arabia would be overshadowed by the scandal involving his uncle that he instructed his spokesman to issue a statement hours before he landed.
The joint statement, approved by William and Catherine, pointedly didn’t mention the former duke, but addressed the couple’s “deep concerns” over the continuing revelations which have engulfed him and thrown a shadow over the monarchy and whether they have done and said enough given the criminal accusations against him.
“It was William and Catherine’s joint decision to make a statement. They have been watching developments very closely with a growing sense of unease and didn’t want to be seen to be shying away from the situation,” says a royal insider.
“Catherine has been very firm making it clear that they need to distance themselves publicly from Andrew. She pushed hard for him to be moved out of Windsor because she could see the problematic optics with Andrew being so close to their new home. While it’s true that William has been concerned for his uncle’s well-being, he is also frustrated, and I would say even angry that the family is once again under the microscope.”
While the Waleses’ brief statement was designed to re-train the media focus on his international visit, however, it did not deflect from the Epstein scandal. William was asked by a reporter if the Royal Family had done enough considering the grave allegations against Mountbatten-Windsor; not only the alleged handing over of privileged information but fresh claims Epstein flew young women – including a Russian national – to the UK for sex with the then prince.
Pointedly William chose not to respond. However, there is a growing sense that the Royal Family does need to more fully address the scandal which prompted Monday’s statements.
The Princess of Wales has been a voice of reason and calm authority behind the scenes, ensuring that the focus remains on protecting the reputation of the monarchy. Aware that the King has inherited the “Andrew problem”, as it is known in the family, Catherine is understandably keen that she and William do not face a similar burden when it is their time to reign. She is acutely aware that any affiliation with William’s disgraced uncle would be deeply damaging to their reputations and philanthropic values.
“This is a genuine crisis for the British monarchy partly because the Monarch feels morally unmoored,” says Ed Owens, royal historian and author of After Elizabeth – Can The Monarchy Save Itself?. “The terrifying thing for the Royal Family is that it is not in control. It has had to play constant catch-up with the Epstein story and in response to public and media pressure the King has had to take a more forceful approach, one he might have preferred to duck.”
Certainly, the late Queen’s mantra, “Never complain, never explain”, won’t wash. While Queen Elizabeth II had a propensity to compartmentalise and often turned a blind eye to her son’s antics, Charles cannot adopt the same strategy.
“Charles inherited this problem from his mother,” adds Owens. “There is a sense that moral justice had not been served with regards to Andrew. The King recognises the need to emphasise the moral role of the institution – but it has been completely derailed by Andrew and the Epstein revelations.
“The institution rallied around and protected Andrew under the Queen’s reign – Virginia Giuffre was paid a large sum of money not to continue the legal case. Since then the King has ejected Andrew from royal life, but it’s taken years.”
As one royal insider explained, the King, who was heckled in public this week over Mountbatten-Windsor, is in an “impossible position”.
“The King feels vindicated in that he made a bold move in removing Andrew’s titles, and forced him out of Royal Lodge but he’s in an impossible position. He knows the situation is far from over. His brother is persona non grata, but to a degree the King’s hands are tied. He cannot do much more than what he has done. It is down to Andrew to explain himself and finally speak up.”
Charles used Monday’s unprecedented statement to reiterate what he had said earlier – that his and the Queen’s chief concerns are with the victims. But while the disgraced duke remains silent, senior royals are having to field difficult questions.
Prince Edward was quizzed about the scandal while in the UAE last week, while William appeared deeply uncomfortable when he was asked about it in Saudi Arabia.
William was solo on the trip and one suspects would have felt more comfortable with the supportive and calm presence of Catherine by his side. The Princess has shown over the years that she has a cool head in a crisis, a skill that has stood her in good stead for the role she has inherited.
With a foreboding sense that there is more to come, a cool head in a crisis is exactly what the monarchy needs.
Katie Nicholl is royal correspondent for Vanity Fair and author of The New Royals
Your next read
square ZING TSJENGTesla proves it – Elon Musk’s genius is smoke and mirrors
square KITTY DONALDSONHow Labour women are torpedoing Starmer’s boys’ club
square JULIAN JESSOP Are We Ready For War?Putin is ready to take on Europe. Here are three ways the UK could finance a war
square KATE LISTERPushing for an open marriage? Check your market worth first
Hence then, the article about kate pushed hard to distance from andrew she knows the damage runs deep was published today ( ) and is available on inews ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Kate pushed hard to distance from Andrew – she knows the damage runs deep )
Also on site :