What to Know
Over the past few years, the scandal involving Jeffrey Epstein and the former Prince Andrew has continued to spiral out of control, culminating in Andrew’s arrest last month after he was stripped of all of his royal titles. So far, King Charles has maintained that he’s cooperating with the investigation into his younger brother, but some don’t feel like that’s enough — including one royal expert who believes Charles could end up stepping down from the throne.
A royal cover up could be the monarchy’s death sentence.
A royal biographer named Andrew Lownie told Radar Online that he believes Charles not taking a “very clear” stance on this issue in particular could lead to major problems with not just his reign as king, but for the monarchy in general.
“I do think that King Charles needs to be very clear that he will cooperate and allow his staff to give statements to the police and provide all the internal correspondence, all the complaints that were made about Andrew, all the material the police need to mount a proper investigation,” he said.
He also warned that if it ever comes out that Charles covered up anything involving the scandal in the past, it would be a “very serious” problem, adding, “I think then people will be calling for a clean sweep. I don’t think William is in any way implicated in this scandal, and I think there will be growing calls for the king to step down.”
A scandal like this could damage the “public trust” in the entire institution.
While also speaking with Radar Online, a constitutional scholar said that he believes that “any perception of institutional shielding could be explosive.”
“If credible evidence emerged that the palace obstructed or concealed material, the pressure on Charles would be immense to step down from the throne early,” the source said. “Abdication would move from fringe discussion to mainstream debate.”
Charles has made it clear he’s fully cooperating with the investigation into Andrew.
Though the senior royals have mostly remained silent on Andrew’s scandal, Charles did release a statement after his brother’s arrest.
“I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office,” said the statement, via the BBC. “What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.”
Charles’ statement continued, “Let me state clearly: the law must take its course. As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.”
And so far, they have — but who knows what else might be revealed about Andrew in the coming weeks and months?
