Britain’s Royal Shame

The latest documents from the US investigation into Jeffrey Epstein are a fresh embarrassment for Britain’s royal family, and it’s all about Prince Andrew’s shady friendship with the convicted sex offender.
Emails released by the US Justice Department show Epstein was invited to dine at Buckingham Palace, and he even offered to introduce Andrew to a 26-year-old Russian woman. There are also weird photos of someone who looks like Andrew kneeling over an unidentified person.

A Tarnished Figure

It’s been three months since King Charles III stripped Andrew of his royal titles, trying to distance the monarchy from his brother’s mess. But the damage is done, and these new emails just make things worse for Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Expert Craig Prescott says the royal family did the right thing by cutting Andrew loose, and these new emails prove it. ‘They had to do something to separate Andrew from the rest of the family, and the nuclear option was the clearest way of doing it,’ Prescott says.

Questions About Cooperation

The documents raise serious questions about Andrew’s judgment and whether he should cooperate with US authorities investigating Epstein. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer thinks Andrew should tell American investigators everything he knows.
Andrew said in 2019 he’d help any law enforcement agency, but his lawyers have been trying to limit his involvement. They even asked if he could answer questions in writing, which is allowed in British courts.

A Relationship Under Fire

Andrew’s been dogged by his relationship with Epstein since 2008, when the wealthy financier pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution. In 2011, Virginia Giuffre alleged she was trafficked by Epstein and forced to have sex with Andrew when she was 17.
Andrew’s denied any wrongdoing, but the emails and photos just make him look worse. An email exchange between Epstein and Andrew shows Epstein offering to introduce Andrew to a 26-year-old Russian woman, and Andrew seems excited about it.
It’s just another example of how Andrew’s judgment is questionable, and it’s no wonder the royal family wants to distance themselves from him.