Andrew’s escape plan
The disgraced former Duke of York “must be sweating” over fears he could face criminal charges, says royal expert Andrew Lownie. The author of Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York says one of the things Andrew must be worried about is an investigation by British police. The investigation concerns claims that he asked his police bodyguard to “dig the dirt” on the late Virginia Giuffre. This occurred shortly before her allegations that he sexually assaulted her were made public. If this is true, it is a criminal offence. “Misconduct in public office, which carries life imprisonment, could be what they bring against him, quite apart from the sex-trafficking allegations,” says Andrew Lownie.
UK and US investigations loom
Meanwhile, in the US, the FBI may insist on talking to him, says the author, adding that he believes there is “plenty of evidence that he’s broken the law” and that a “whole series of charges” to do with having sex with a minor could be levelled at the royal. In the very least, Andrew should answer questions about his association with Epstein before the US House oversight committee. The committee is investigating the sex-trafficking allegations made against the late financier, say US politicians.
One congressman says Epstein’s victims have mentioned Andrew, so “he clearly has knowledge of what happened, and we just want him to come forward and tell us what he knows”.
Loss of the royal lodge and housing changes
While the dark cloud of possible charges hangs over Andrew, 65, he is having to deal with being kicked out of his home, Royal Lodge, on the Windsor estate. The King, 76, has offered his brother a much smaller privately-owned house in the grounds of Sandringham in Norfolk, where Andrew will live on his own. His ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, who has lived in Royal Lodge with him since 2008, is making her own housing arrangements.
Life on the remote Sandringham estate is likely to be bleak and lonely for the ex-prince, and many experts predict he’ll head overseas. Andrew has been offered the use of a palace in Abu Dhabi by the emirate’s ruler Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a longtime friend. The luxury home is in a gated community with heavy security. It features a gym, pool, cinema, and a kitchen staffed by cordon bleu chefs.
Friendless & no job
Fergie, 66, may also end up shifting abroad after losing her home, title and several sources of income, including a role as a guest on TV panel show Loose Women. Many of the charities she supports also wiped their hands of her after the publication of an email she sent to Epstein, calling him a “supreme friend” and apologising for saying he was a paedophile.
“The invitations have dried up and there’s not a lot to keep her here,” says a UK friend.
Adds another source, “People don’t want to be associated with her.”
In the meantime, she has been consulting a “brand rescue team” for advice on possible ways to earn a living.
A source says she is “taking stock” and hoping to “let the dust settle” before moving on.
“She always finds ways of making money and getting out of a hole.”
Sisters in fear
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are allowed to keep their royal titles and will attempt to carry on with life as usual. However, the humiliating demotion of their parents has rocked them to the core, say royal experts.
According to royal writer Rebecca English, their formerly close bond with their mother Fergie has collapsed. Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, are “even more disappointed in their mother than their father.”
A friend says the sisters are deeply concerned about the mental health of both their parents. They are also waking up to the disgrace Andrew and Fergie have brought upon the royal family, thanks to their links to Epstein. “It’s fair to say the scales have somewhat fallen from their eyes.”
The King is said to be fond of them and will continue to include them.
