Prince Andrew is, to put it simply, the royal problem that just keeps giving. While it’s been almost two weeks since he relinquished the use of his royal titles, as a result of accusations – which he denies – following his previous association with the late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, the King’s brother continues to make it onto front pages.
This week, the royal headlines have been focused on Andrew being set to vacate his 30-room Royal Lodge mansion in Windsor. Although his lease on the Crown Estate property isn’t up until 2078, public outcry has left him with little to no choice but to leave.
While this may satisfy those who don’t like the prince for a while, knowing that he is no longer swanning around in a mansion and instead in a more humble abode like Frogmore Cottage, it won’t solve the royal crisis he has caused.
Why you ask?
Because the root cause of the problem will not go away.
For years, the prince has continued to face criticism after criticism, accusation after accusation, as a result of his past friendship with Epstein.
And now, as more revelations and accusations surrounding the prince and his rumoured past conduct emerge, it is simply crushing the prince’s reputation more and more. This is despite the fact he continues to deny accusations.
Even though he is not a working royal anymore, and has not been for some time, the fact still stands that he is the brother of a King, and the son of the late Queen Elizabeth II. So whether he likes it or not, he will always be held to account publicly.
While leaving Royal Lodge may therefore take some of the public criticism away temporarily, it is without a doubt sure to return as more Epstein files reach the UK from across the pond.
This is something he won’t be able to escape, whether he lives at Royal Lodge, Frogmore Cottage, or a royal home miles and miles away.
Sadly, for the prince, a house move is not going to move his problems any further away.