The trial and conviction of Ghislaine Maxwell not only brought the long strange, lurid case of Jeffrey Epstein, his exploits and even his secret painting of Bill Clinton back into the spotlight, it also gave fresh energy to the case against a member of the royal family; Prince Andrew, the Duke of York. As Maxwell awaits sentencing (facing a possible 65 years in prison), across the pond the world is crashing down around the middle son of the Queen.
Recently, Andrew, 61, was stripped of his military titles with a short statement from Buckingham Palace that "with The Queen's approval and agreement, The Duke of York's military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to The Queen. The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen.” This removal initially led to further embarrassment that he would not be presented with a medal to honor the Queen’s Jubilee, although current reports state he (and nephew Harry) will receive the honors as “private gifts.”
There was a time when Andrew was considered, at least in public circles, as a diplomat, prince charming and even a war hero (of sorts.) In 1986, his wedding to Sarah Fergusson was broadcast to an estimated 500 million people while 100,000 gathered to watch the couple’s first kiss as man and wife on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. It was talked up as another storybook wedding like that of his older brother Charles and bride Diana, at least until it fell apart and whispers about both of them began. Following the separation and divorce, Fergie began to carve her own career as a television personality and spokeswoman and Andrew turned to his own private exploits.
Moving forward several decades to the arrival of a little thing called the Internet and the accusations of sexual assault and rape by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, a new image of the man behind the title emerges. Perpetually claiming his innocence, among his defenses are the faulty memory of his accuser, that the photo with the then underage Giuffre was photoshopped and that her recollection the prince was sweaty couldn’t have been true due to a medical condition. These statements have been met with reactions ranging from dismissal to outright ridicule.
So as Andrew continues to face a legal battle now cleared by an American judge and faces mounting debt and legal bills, a list of his activities is beginning to form that paints a picture of a man with many demons that can no longer be covered up by the monarchy or a lack of information sharing. Even the hit, award-winning Netflix show “The Crown” hinted at the darker side of the Prince in an episode recreating a private meeting with his mother Queen Elizabeth.
Just a few of the “highlights” of Andrew’s activities:
The York Racetrack is renaming the annual Duke of York Stakes horse race to distance itself from the embattled prince
Reports of ongoing racist language toward black people and Arabs
While Andrew has suffered from massive debt issues for decades, it seems the legal costs may have caught up with him
For years he has had his supporters and detractors regarding his military career. There are those who consider him a hero while others suggest he was a participant at best
Mistreatment and verbal abuse of staff and diplomats to such a degree “a secret cable from a US ambassador… described Prince Andrew’s bad behaviour that “verged on rude” during an official engagement.” The treatment was apparently not only observed by other members of the family including Prince Harry, but “if Harry found himself in the royal kitchen with his uncle he would “pull a face” if Andrew acted in a way Diana would regard as rude.”
Refusal to subject himself to airline security checks in Melbourne 2005 and an expanding taxpayer funded travel schedule. He gained several nicknames from the travel stories including “Air Miles Andy” and “Prince Pompous”
So as Maxwell ends her fight to keep the names of “eight John Does” secret, it is now up to the courts to decide if their identities should be revealed. It is currently being speculated who these men are and Prince Andrew is at the top of the list. In addition, it is now being reported that Andrew may have also been involved in a romantic relationship with Maxwell and a new witness to his activities may have emerged.
It’s now being thought that Andrew will soon “disappear from sight.” Even with his decades of previous problems, if he didn’t sweat before, the prince must be sweating now.