Prince Andrew announced today that he will “step back from public duties for the foreseeable future” following his disastrous BBC Newsnight interview in which he attempted to explain his friendship with deceased convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. But what does the prince’s resignation mean for the royal family?
WATCH: Prince Andrew says he didn’t have a “sweaty dance” with Virginia Roberts because a medical condition prevents him from sweating
Queen Elizabeth’s alleged favourite child released a statement this morning announcing his decision to cease his royal work, saying his association with Epstein is ‘a major disruption’ to the Royal Family.
The statement read:
It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family’s work and the valuable work going on in the many organisations and charities that I am proud to support.
Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission.
I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein. His suicide has left many unanswered questions, particularly for his victims, and I deeply sympathise with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure. I can only hope that, in time, they will be able to rebuild their lives. Of course, I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required.
The 59-year-old royal will likely retain his title as the Duke of York and keep his place in the line of succession to the throne, which is currently eighth behind Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s 6-month-old son, Archie.
It is believed that Prince Andrew’s decision to remove himself from public duties as a member of the royal family is an attempt to dampen public interest in his alleged involvement in the Epstein case. However, it hasn’t stopped several organisations once associated with the duke severing all ties.
Prince Andrew currently resides at the Royal Lodge in Windsor and will continue to live there. The property was previously the private residence of the Queen Mother for over 70 years, before being gifted to Prince Andrew in 2003 by the Queen.
It is also believed that while it is unclear what will happen to the duke’s income, given he is no longer a working royal, he is likely to still receive an allowance from the Queen.
Since the interview aired on Saturday night in the U.K., the Queen’s second son has been widely criticised for not showing empathy for the victims of Epstein — who died by suicide in jail in New York City in August while awaiting trial on multiple sex charges — and for his decision to stay with at the financier’s New York home in December 2010, mere months after Epstein had served 13 months of an 18 month sentence for procuring a minor for prostitution.
Prince Andrew also denied ever having met Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who alleges she was forced to have sex with the royal three times when she was 17-years-old.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
