Prince Andrew has been urged to “take a long hard look in the mirror” and “make the right choice for once” in order to rescue his tarnished reputation.
Reports surfaced this week revealing the Duke of York, 65, purportedly told Jeffrey Epstein they were “in this together” via email after claiming he had severed ties with the paedophile.
Andrew has encountered fresh criticism following these revelations, which once more illuminate his association with the disgraced financier.
The fallout from this latest revelation could see the Duke prohibited from hosting shooting parties on Royal estates, including Balmoral and Sandringham, alongside other “fun activities,” according to our reports.
Yet Royal commentators have today suggested the father-of-two could help restore his – and the Royal Family’s – standing by acting swiftly, reports the Mirror.
“It’s time he accepted some responsibility. I know he’s used to hot and cold running staff, but Charles III is not Andrew’s butler. If he has any affection or respect for his family and for the monarchy, if he cares even in the slightest about protecting the legacy of his late mother, he would go without being pushed,” newspaper columnist Sarah Vine has contended today.
Mounting pressure has been placed on Andrew to take action, especially given Prince William, the Prince of Wales, is anticipated to spearhead “huge change” throughout his reign.
William, 43, recently remarked on a podcast: “I enjoy that change. I don’t fear it, that’s the bit that excites me, the idea of being able to bring some change.”
Whilst he refrained from naming anyone specifically during his conversation with Schitt’s Creek actor Eugene Levy, the heir to the throne’s remarks have sparked speculation amongst Royal commentators.
Writing in her latest Daily Mail column, journalist Ms Vine stated: “If the Andrew situation isn’t resolved while his kind, rather gentle, indulgent and thoughtful brother is in charge, it will have to be resolved under King Charles’s successor.
“I can’t say for certain, of course, but I don’t imagine Prince William – or for that matter, the Princess of Wales – has much time for friends and associates of known sex traffickers. And given that they have decided to make Windsor their ‘forever home’, are they really going to tolerate Bad Uncle Andrew living it up next door?”
She continued: “Fundamentally, though, Andrew must understand that for him, the game is finally up. He has disgraced himself to the point where his very existence has become a liability to the Royal Family. For a long while his doting mother protected him from the consequences of his mistakes. But sadly, she is no more. He has to go.”
Ms Vine concluded: “He can either carry on acting like the arrogant, deluded toff he’s been all his life, or take a long hard look in the mirror, and make the right choice for once.”
The Duke of York has consistently and vehemently denied all allegations of misconduct.