Despite mounting pressure and calls for Prince Andrew to be banished from the royal family, King Charles has made it clear that he will not abandon his brother.
This unwavering support stems from a sense of duty to their late mother, Queen Elizabeth, and a promise made to her by Charles.
The Duke of York has been implicated numerous times in legal documents related to the notorious Jeffrey Epstein and his alleged associates.
Epstein, a convicted paedophile, took his own life in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on s** trafficking charges.
The scandal surrounding his activities has cast a dark shadow over Prince Andrew’s reputation.
However, Charles has stated that he will only take further action if his brother faces criminal charges.
The Metropolitan Police, meanwhile, has confirmed that no investigation is currently underway.
They have, however, expressed their willingness to assess any new and relevant information that may arise from the Epstein documents.
This news comes as a relief to Andrew, who vehemently denies any wrongdoing.
Prince William, on the other hand, has been more vocal in expressing his concerns about Andrew’s involvement with Epstein.
Last year, he advised his father that given the weight of the scandal, Andrew should not be trusted.
William fears that ongoing investigations and new revelations will continue to haunt both Andrew and the royal family.
While Andrew has come to accept that he will never resume his royal duties, he remains apprehensive about being implicated in further court documents related to Epstein and his former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell.
Maxwell, a British socialite, is currently serving a 20-year jail term in the US for her involvement in procuring girls for Epstein’s abuse.
Despite Charles’ request for Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson to vacate their current residence, the Duke refuses to move.
He holds an 80-year lease on the property and has pledged to cover the necessary maintenance costs.
However, this decision has raised questions about both Andrew’s judgement and the King’s support.
The recent release of court records in a defamation case against Maxwell by Virginia Giuffre has further fueled the controversy.
Giuffre had accused Andrew of s**ual abuse, and the Prince paid her £12 million in 2022 to halt a civil trial in the US, without admitting any guilt.
These records also implicated other high-profile figures, including former US Presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, as associates of Epstein.
It is important to note that there is no suggestion that those listed were aware of Epstein’s criminal activities or participated in any wrongdoing.
Nevertheless, the revelations have renewed public scrutiny and put additional pressure on the royal family.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how King Charles’ steadfast support for Prince Andrew will be received by the public.
The Epstein scandal has undoubtedly left a lasting impact, and the royal family must navigate these turbulent waters with caution and transparency.