Despite leading a relatively low-profile life, Prince Andrew has recently become infamous due to his association with a major media scandal.
The son of Queen Elizabeth II and brother of Prince Charles, Prince Andrew’s reputation has taken a hit in recent years.
In 2019, an investigation into his friendship with US businessman Jeffrey Epstein made headlines worldwide.
Epstein and his partner, Ghislaine Maxwell, were charged by the US government for operating an underage s** trafficking ring that involved influential men.
While Prince Andrew has not been directly linked to the case, it is well-known that Epstein had connections with prominent figures in politics, business, and royalty.
Former US President Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, and Prince Andrew were among Epstein’s acquaintances.
According to The Guardian, Prince Andrew was introduced to Epstein by Maxwell in 1999.
Over the following years, the Duke of York and the businessman were seen together on multiple occasions.
When the investigation against Epstein came to light, Prince Andrew addressed his relationship with the controversial figure.
In a statement, he claimed to have seen Epstein infrequently, probably no more than once or twice a year.
He also expressed his condemnation of any form of exploitation and denied any involvement or encouragement of such behavior.
Even though the Duke of York was not investigated for his connection to Epstein, doubts about his innocence still linger.
One of Epstein’s accusers alleged that Prince Andrew was aware of the criminal activities taking place.
On August 10th, 2019, Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his cell in a maximum-security prison in New York City.
Months later, Prince Andrew participated in an interview with BBC News, where he denied any involvement in Epstein’s crimes.
However, his lack of remorse for his association with the convicted s** offender and his apparent lack of empathy for the victims drew significant criticism.
Shortly after the controversial interview, Prince Andrew stepped down from his royal duties.
Since then, he has made efforts to maintain a low profile, reminiscent of his pre-scandal life.
Despite the lack of formal investigations into his involvement, questions surrounding Prince Andrew’s innocence continue to loom.