Many will say it’s been a long time coming. Prince Andrew has been a major source of embarrassment for years, and his name has become synonymous with scandal. From numerous reports about his ongoing friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, to claims he had cosied up to alleged Chinese spies.
And the latest scandal appears to catch him out in a lie, having told the world in his infamous BBC Newsnight interview that he ceased contact with Epstein in 2010 – when a gushing email to the convicted paedophile suggests they were still very much in contact with him in February 2011. Newspaper front pages on Friday detailing Andrew’s meetings with Cai Qi, the official at the centre of the China spy scandal, was seen by the Palace as one scandal too many.
The endless drip of headlines and scandals surrounding Andrew was proving a distraction from the important work of the Royal Family and was at odds with many of the causes senior royals have thrown their weight behind, such as the Queen’s tireless support for victims of domestic violence.
The carefully worded statement, which states “we have concluded”, is a clear indication that Andrew was under extreme pressure from his brother to do the right thing and relinquish his remaining royal titles.
He would have been all too aware that the King and William would have made no hesitation in taking firm action had he not agreed.
Andrew’s decision will hopefully draw a line under the matter, and one Palace source said “we’re finally able to breathe a sigh of relief” after months of radio silence on the so-called “Andrew problem”.
For Andrew, the relinquishing of his titles, namely the Duke of York title that was given to him by his mother, and his Order of the Garter title, will be a punch to the gut.
He’ll view this as a major humiliation and will be devastated that he will no longer be able to appear in public, having attempted to rehabilitate his image in recent years.
But the status quo could go on no more, and the final death knell on Andrew’s royal status will hopefully ensure his exile is complete.
