King Charles is under mounting pressure to ban Prince Andrew from all future royal gatherings. This comes as the disgraced royal was named in legal files linking him to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew was named alongside many other high-profile figures, including Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson and Leonardo DiCaprio. The people listed were those named as associates of Epstein and there is no suggestion those listed either knew about his crimes or participated in any criminal behaviour.
A royal source inside Buckingham Palace told the Daily Mirror that there is “no way back” for Andrew.
It is well-known that the royal had been hoping for a royal return.
He had previously withdrew from public life amid the furore over his friendship with Epstein and paid millions to settle a US civil sexual assault case to Virginia Giuffre.
The settlement did not include any admission of liability and Prince Andrew has strenuously denied all claims.
A royal source told the Mirror: “The King has no option but to completely cut ties with Andrew.
“He will forever be tainted by his association with Epstein and despite his denials of wrongdoing, the constant drip of information about Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell is a stain on the Royal Family.
“There is no way back for him. Andrew should have no place in public alongside the King or any other member of the Royal Family.”
The move to ban Andrew would mark a U-turn for Charles, who had decided to order his family to welcome his brother back into the fold – much to Prince William’s anger.
Charles and Camilla celebrated Christmas at Sandringham with Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
The King also relented on attempts to evict Andrew from his Royal Lodge residence at Windsor.
Charles overruled William, who warned that Andrew’s association with the convicted paedophile “will never go away”.
The Prince of Wales said Andrew’s return could plunge the monarchy into a fresh public crisis.
This comes as Andrew has been reported to the Met Police over the resurfaced allegations of the sexual abuse of a 17-year-old girl in London.
Her claims were repeated in the newly released court documents.
